Weekly Update
Wayne Township LAP 9/27/19
WIDA Early ELD Standards
Did you know that WIDA has developed English Language Development Standards for children who are 2 - 5 years old? These standards were created to assist multilingual students and their teachers in preschool classes. Children are not identified with the WIDA Screener as English Learners until Kindergarten, but the information here will be helpful to preschool teachers. The ELD Standards correspond with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
LM Report Window October 1 - November 15
Why Do We Assign Dictionary Use as an Accommodation?
Test accommodations are suggested to help overcome the unfair challenges faced by English Learners due to their English proficiency. A test accommodation is regarded as effective when it improves the test performance of ELs without giving any additoonal, or unfair, advantages.
Research shows that one of the most effective accommodations for ELs is the use of a word-to-word dictionary, if the student uses a dictionary frequently during classroom instruction.This accommodation is helpful only if the student reads in his first language, and only if the student is familiar with the using the dictionary.
This is the time of year to inventory dictionaries and to order more if needed, so students have plenty of time to practice using the dictionaries in their classes. Please make sure to check that the student is able to read in his native language and to choose a dictionary that meets the guidelines on page 39 of the 2019/2020 Accessibility and Accommodations Guidance before ordering dictionaries for use during testing.
PowToon offers a video here to help older students learn about the use of guide words. More information about using dictionaries in class with your ELs can be found here.
IDOE's New Course for Teachers - The Science of Happiness
In partnership with Butler University, IDOE has created The Science of Happiness, a class designed for educators to promote their own social and emotional wellness. After successfully completing the course, participants will earn 45 professional growth plan points. Please promote this class with teachers in your school by sharing this quick video. Enrollment begins on October 1. Information about tech requirements can be found here.
Report Card Comments for English Learners
Please share the tips here with your teachers as they prepare report cards and progress reports for students.
Let's Talk Board Games
Here's a collection of board games that encourage student-to-student interaction and provide plenty of practice in speaking and listening. Players of any age role a die and answer a question or tell about a picture on the free printable gameboards here.