Supporting English Learners
February 2021
Black history is American history, however, observing Black History Month in February gives us a chance to be intentional about learning this particular topic. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
Here are some ideas on how to incorporate this month with your ELs:
Below is a brief list of resources and presentations that are intended to support educators who want to support their students in having courageous conversations about contentious topics.
Monthly ESOL Webinar Dates!
February 23rd
March 23rd
April 27th
All webinars will start at 9:00 am!
KELPA Updates!
KELPA Testing Window----- February 15, 2021 through March 31, 2021
- Four domains: reading, speaking, listening, writing K-12
- No exemption. Required for all identified ELL students
- The window for hand scoring the speaking and writing items is by February 15—April 20, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
- Those students who arrive after 4/01/20 exempted from ELA assessment, but they must take KELPA. No exemption in science or math.
- KELPA Technology practice is available !
- NEW KELPA Testing Manual has been released! Check it out here!
*January 15th is a typo. It should say January 12th.
Where to Find Things for KELPA!
Who Can Administer the KELPA?
Goal Setting for KELPA
Each year, most of us sit down to set some type of goal we want to accomplish for that year and I am sure you set classroom goals with your students often. So, why should the KELPA be any different? In an effort to help you and your students prepare for the KELPA, I am providing you with a sample goal sheet that can be completed with students. Having students actually write out their goals and talk about it with their teachers can be so impactful.
Consider reading this article, Goal Setting with English Learners and Multilingual Students
Please note: Teachers do not have to use any of these of course, but this could be a resource.
Language Grow and Glow Goal Sheet
KELPA Goal Sheet- Lower grades
KELPA Goal Sheet- Lower grades 2
KELPA Goal Sheet- Middle grades
Dyslexia Updates!
There is also a new resource for schools about the screening and End of Year Accountability (EOYA) reporting. This brochure and the handbook can both be found on the KSDE Dyslexia webpage,
If your school has not yet completed the dyslexia training (all teachers should have this by August 31, 2021), there are free modules available from Greenbush. If you are interested in these one-hour modules, please click this link.
Contact Cindy F. Hadicke at chadicke@ksde.org, for any questions!
ESOL/ Bilingual Job Opportunities?
KSDE Presents: Virtual ESOL PD
Beth Skelton, will be providing a series of four, online 90 minute workshops geared towards taking language learning to new heights and empower educators by giving them the necessary tools to do so. Below, you will find the FREE sessions and registration links. I hope you will take the time to participate in the awesome upcoming professional development provided by KSDE!
Monday, February 22, 2021- Registration CLOSED
Making Complex Text Accessible for English Learners Grades 4-12
4-5:30 pm
Register Here
Monday, April 12, 2021
Teaching Language through STEAM Competencies
4-5:30 pm
Register Here
Books to Consider
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Spotlight: Using Technology with ELs
One of my favorite aspects of integrating technology into instruction is the availability of resources to support students with different learning needs. Students who are struggling can benefit from the excitement and engagement offered by a tool like the iPad or Chromebook. Teachers of English Learners (ELs) can use technology to promote growth in their students.
*Please note that these are merely suggestions and are not required or sponsored by KSDE.
Boom cards- These are self-grading and self paced exercises that are gamified for students and provide the data that teachers want.
ESL Kids World on YouTube- ESL Kids World creates ESL materials for kids all over the world. Based online, we publish free learning resources for all! Their videos are designed for children ages 2~10 and cover a wide range of topics. Their learning videos cover vocabulary, phrases, and grammar for the ESL and EFL classroom
Spotlight YOUR school/district!
If your school or district is doing something awesome that you want to share with others in Kansas, please send your pictures (with descriptions) to nprimm@ksde.org and I will spotlight your happenings in the next month's newsletter.
*In addition, if you would like to see something added to the newsletter, please send your suggestions to nprimm@ksde.org as well!
Professional Development: Online for Free!
On Demand: Structured Literacy Instruction for English Learners
We hope you enjoy this webinar with Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Dale Webster about the best approaches for teaching literacy to the diverse population of English learners.
How to Improve Equity: One Step, One Goal at a Time
Wednesday, Feb. 3 @ 4 pm ET
Leading for Equity: Cultivating an Anti-Racist School District
Thursday, February 4, 2021 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST
NAELPA Webinar: Supporting Teachers to Foster Authentic Digital Interaction
February 4th- 3:30 PM- 5 PM
Webinar Series! Equity Strategies for Multilingual Students & Families
Learn concrete strategies for enacting equity-based practices in any classroom.
Join Confianza Founder Sarah Ottow and Teaching Channel CAO Wendy Amato as they share practical ways for instructional leaders to develop their vision for equity, refine their equity-based mindset, and implement practices to support educators of multilingual learners in their local communities.
Free Webinar Series Dates
All webinars are at 3 pm EST.
Can't attend the live webinar? Register so that you get a link to the recording!
- Thursday, Feb. 4th - Equity-Based Approach for Leaders
- Thursday, Feb. 11th - Equity-Based Teaming & Collaboration Strategies
- Thursday, Feb. 18th - Leading & Evaluation for Equity
Each 45-minute webinar will model and explain ways to lead with equity, so attendees leave with specific ideas to bring into their practice.
Professional Development Opportunities, At a Cost!
Annihilating Racial Injustice In Schools Workshop
A two-day intensive with Dr. Sheldon L. Eakins from Leading Equity Center
February 13 and 20 , 11:00-3:30 PM Eastern
Through varying workshops centered around Anti-racist and Anti-bias examples in school settings, the presenters will provide attendees with a complete understanding of the fundamental premise of creating an Antiracist learning environment. True stories and research in schools will illustrate the need to foster an inclusive learning space for all students.
This is a nine-part (9-hour) webinar series that targets educators at all levels of their equity journey.
Beyond Envisioning Equity: Situating Teacher of Color Voices
Virtually-March 5-6, 2021
9 am - 4 p.m.
This conference will allow us to enter into exciting conversations about how our educational spaces address the recruitment, preparation, retention, and induction of teachers of color (TOCs). This conference brings together the most prominent voices in the field whose experiences, research, and professional insights shed light on policies and praxis that can inform our next steps toward educational equity.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend the screening of BESITOS, the College of Education documentary that graduated more than 100 teachers of color.
Please utilize the following link to access the registration. Early bird registration ends February 14th:) https://bit.ly/Beyond-Envisioning
Virtual TESOL 2021
March 24th-27th
Registration for the TESOL 2021 Convention will open the week of November 16th
More information, here
2021 CARLA Summer Institute Program for Language Teachers
It is time to sign up for a CARLA Summer Institute! Join the more than 6,700 language educators who have participated in this acclaimed professional development program. CARLA Summer Institutes fill quickly, so register early. CARLA offers a wide range of institutes targeted at foreign/world language, ESL/EFL, heritage language, and immersion educators from a variety of teaching levels and contexts. All fifteen of the 2021 CARLA Summer Institutes will be taught online in either an asynchronous or synchronous format. See the full line-up online.
Register here
Register by April 30 to save $50
Approved Kansas Colleges and Universities Offering ESOL Endorsement Courses
Kansas is ALWAYS looking for more ESOL Endorsed teachers! If you know of anyone interested in obtaining their ESOL Endorsement, here are a list of partnering universities and colleges:
Benedictine College
Bethany College
Emporia State University*
Friends University
Newman University*
Fort Hays State University*
Ottawa University*
Kansas State University*
Pittsburg State University*
McPherson College
University of Kansas*
Mid-America Nazarene University*
Washburn University
Wichita State University
*indicates online option available
Nicole Primm, EL Program Consultant
Email: nprimm@ksde.org
Website: ksde.org
Location: 900 Southwest Jackson Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: (785) 296-5060
Twitter: @Kansas_ELs