Weekly Update
Wayne Township LAP 3/6/2020
WIDA's Research on Long Term English Language Learners
WIDA has published a report about Long Term English Language Learners, or LTELLs. LTELLs are students who remain classified as English Learners for longer than six years. The authors of the study reviewed WIDA ACCESS scores and found that males are slightly more likely to be classified as LTELLs. Generally, 13 percent of the English Learners in the fifteen states included the study were identified as LTELLs, however, almost half (45%) of ELs with IEPs were classified as LTELLs. Also, students who move frequently from state to state or from the US to other countries were more likely to be Long Term English Learners. You can read the research brief here.
PowerMinds
Free online English tutors at PowerMinds will teach students how to pronounce English words correctly, how to use the words in phrases and sentences, and how to study difficult words in English. They also offer help with English homework and ACT and SAT test prep. The tutoring and classes are all free. PowerMinds was created by a high school student in Illinois. Click here for more information.
Social and Emotional Learning for ELs
Increase Student Engagement with Surveys
Need an idea to help spark engagement? This article from The EdVocate explains that taking surveys can help students think about their prior experience with a topic, to defend a position, or simply to write how they are similar to a character they are reading about. Students really seem to enjoy writing about their favorite topic- themselves!
Seventh Annual Eco-Science Fair at Indiana State Museum
The Indiana State Museum, 650 W Washington St, Indianapolis, will host an Eco-Science Fair from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, April 24. Students will research and experiment with environmental topics (including aquaculture, urban farming, recycling programs, alternative fuels, etc.) The students will present their projects to a judge, then receive an evaluation and score. Students will learn from their own projects, other students' projects, and their feedback from the judges.
The event is included in general admission tickets for K-12 students and teachers. There is no fee for submitting a project, but an application should be submitted by April 3. Information about admission fees, the application to submit projects and project guidelines can be found here.
Art Contest for Marion County Students in Grades 3-8
Professional Development for Preschool Teachers
Butler University's College of Education is offering free literacy workshops for early educators throughout March and April at the Butler University South Campus:
Nurturing Writers Through Bookmaking on Tuesday, March 10, 6:00-9:00 pm or Saturday, March 14, 9:00 am - noon.
Thinking and Talking about Books in Preschool on Thursday, April 16, 6:00 - 9:00 pm or Saturday, April 18, 9:00 am - noon.
For more information on these workshops, click here.
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