Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - March 6, 2017
Why Use Content & Language Objectives in your Classroom?
I had an epiphany! I have to share it with you. Especially those of you that have ever wondered…
“Why do I have to write my content and language objectives on the board?”
I used to think it was for administrators to see what was going on in classrooms. That was even a rumor in the building. Teachers were all a buzz over the new expectation.
In hindsight, it would have really helped to know exactly why we needed to put these objectives up on the board.
But when it hit me, it hit me! It wasn’t for the administrators at all. Here’s what happened…
I went grocery shopping WITHOUT a list! YES, that’s when it hit me.
Think about this…A time when you went to the grocery store without a list. What happened and how did you feel?
If you’re like me, you walk around grabbing everything in sight, feeling overwhelmed and leave realizing you didn’t get what you really needed for dinner. And somehow, tons of junk ends up in your cart. I’m serious…for example, chocolate bars and Oreos (I’m speaking from experience). This is not a lie. It’s what happens to me all the time when I go without a list… JUNK! I lose focus and I get distracted by all of the surroundings.
Now think of a time when you went to the grocery store with a list. What happened and how did you feel?
For me, when I go with a list, I know exactly what I’m there for, and I get everything I need. I leave feeling successful.
What does this have to do with content and language objectives?? Read more to find out.
Call for Presentation: La Cosecha 2017
The La Cosecha 2017 Planning Committee cordially invites you to share your dual language teaching strategies, leadership and/or research experience with your colleagues by presenting at this year's La Cosecha Dual Language Conference. La Cosecha provides you the opportunity to share best practices and resources, current theory and practice, as well as assisting in building networks, fueling our community's efforts to build a better multilingual/multicultural future for our children.
Don't miss this opportunity to share and learn from our dual language community! For more information and registration information for La Cosecha 2017 visit us online at www.lacoscha.dlenm.org.
¡Seguimos con la cosecha!
La Cosecha 2017 Planning Committee
*The office of Language and Cultural Services will provide funds for registration and travel for any Tulsa Public Schools team member(s) who are accpeted as a presenter at La Cosecha.
SIOP Spotlight: Signal Words
Watch as SIOP® author Marilyn Amy Washam explains how to create language objectives that target students' meaningful, structured use of Signal Words.
Webinar Recording: Fortify Output - Writing
Last week our very own Stephanie Cagle, ELD Coordiantor was featured in Ellevation's webinar "Fortify Output - Writing" along with Ellevation instructional expert Daniel Scibienski.
Below are some useful links to the webinar and resources you can use:
- Review the recording and share with a colleague who wasn't able to join.
- Reinforce the information we discussed by finding an activity that fortifies writing or constructed responses and integrating it into your next lesson.
- After watching, please provide feedback by filling out this short survey.
- Download our support document for quick tips on how to strengthen writing in your classroom or school.
Strategies: Differentiated Instruction
We know how easy it is to say to differentiate instruction. However, quality differentiation takes time to plan and you have to make sure that you understand the linguistic abilities of your students before you can begin planning. With so many things on your plate, how can you possibly do one more thing?
Ellevation takes care of this for you! Within Strategies, you can easily see your ELLs and what levels of support that they need based on relevant and timely data. More importantly, they support you in understanding what your students' needs are so that you can differentiate effectively and account for language.
Check out this helpful resource as we enter the final weeks ahead of OCCT testing!
Nominations open: Tomás Rivera Scholar & Volunteer Awards
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Affairs Commission, a civil rights committee for the City of Tulsa, annually recognizes Latino scholars as well as workers and volunteers who work to support Latino education in the Tulsa area. Criteria for recognition for both categories are listed on the nomination form (English) (Spanish).
Nomination forms are due by March 31, 2017 and submission information is listed on the nomination form.
This is a great opportunity to recognize the great achievement of our Latino students and those in our schools who are doing exceptional jobs of supporting and serving Latino students. Please share this information with colleagues and the community.
ELD Virtual Department Meetings for March
Elementary ELD Virtual Department Meeting
Interpreters for Parent Conferences
Our office has received a high number of Spanish-speaking interpreters for parent conferences on March 7 and we are continuing to receive additional last minute requests. As of Friday morning, we have filled the majority of requests but in working with contractors and volunteers, we are still approximately 30 Spanish-speaking interpreters short for Tuesday, March 7, evening conferences. We have been able to fill all requests for all other conference days with the exception of March 7 due to request volume on that night.
By noon on Monday, March 6, we will send confirmation of the name(s) of interpreters assigned to school buildings for parent conferences on Tuesday evening. We are working with the contracting company over the weekend to confirm additional interpreters and make necessary adjustments to ensure a minimum number of Spanish-speaking interpreters available at each site requested for March 7. Confirmation of interpreters for conferences on other days will be sent approximately 36 hours prior to the conferences.
Please share the Language Line Quick Reference Guide with teachers and team members in case an interpreter is not present due to scheduling during a parent conference. Language Line is a quick and easy way to access an interpreter in over 200 languages. We have verified that 9,000 interpreters in a variety of languages will be available via phone during parents conference nights.
Please contact the Language Assistance Services team with any related questions.
LCS Team Member Spotlight
Julie Johnson, ELD Teacher at McClure ES
What motivates me to work hard?
I am self-motivated, but also compliments about things I am doing well give me an additional push.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My favorite holiday tradition is baking cinnamon rolls, friendship bread, pies, and cookies with my mother.
What is the best gift you have ever received?
I recently went "ring" shopping with my boyfriend, as soon as he pops the question that will be my favorite gift. But since he hasn't actually asked me yet, I will go with a car. On my 16th birthday my dad and mom surprised me with a car, a green ford Tempo. [UPDATE: Julie is now happily engaged!]
Tulsa Public Schools Immigration Frequently Asked Questions
ACCESS 2017 Planning Resources
Test window: February 6, 2017 to March 31, 2017
Materials pick up at Enrollment Center: January 30 and 31, 2017
Tech support reminders:
- If technical support is needed or an error message received during testing, please notify your ELD Coordinator and submit a Helpdesk ticket. If you are able to resolve the issue, please send an update to both the ELD Coordinator and the Helpdesk.
- If you have to call DRC helpdesk, please save the DRC ticket number. If our Helpdesk has to follow up on an issue with DRC, they have to have the DRC ticket number in order to connect the issue.
ACCESS 2.0 & Alternate ACCESS
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Test Administrator Form
- Training Schedule
- Accessibility and Accommodations Supplement
- ACCESS Training Folder
- ACCESS 2017 Roster (saved template in Ellevation's Export Wizard)
ACCESS 2.0
- ACCESS 2.0 Headphone Specifications
- ACCESS 2.0 Sample Items (open using Chrome browser)
Alternate ACCESS
Missed a Department Meeting?
Elementary ELD Department Meetings
Language & Cultural Services Events
Week of March 6:
March 9 - NO ELD Department Meetings (Virtual link: elementary, secondary)
Week of March 13:
Happy Spring Break!
All events are listed in MyLearningPlan unless otherwise noted. Please pre-register and verify session location in MLP.
Check out the Language & Cultural Services events calendar for future events.
LCS Bulletins for SY 2016-2017
February 27, 2017 February 13, 2017 February 6, 2017 January 30, 2017 January 23, 2017 January 16, 2017 January 9, 2017 December 12, 2016 November 28, 2016 November 21, 2016 November 14, 2016 November 7, 2016 October 31, 2016 October 24, 2016 October 17, 2016 October 10, 2016 October 3, 2016 September 27, 2016 September 19, 2016 September 12, 2016 September 4, 2016