Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - January 16, 2016
Five Things Teachers Can Do to Improve Learning for ELs in the New Year
by Kristina Robertson
It is resolution season! In January we reflect on past joys and concerns from the previous year, and take the opportunity to make a resolution that will improve our lives in the New Year. Of course, we all know that resolutions are hard to keep and can often be unrealistic. The expert advice I've received on resolutions (mostly advice from women's magazines) states that you are more likely to be successful if your goal is specific and measurable. So, instead of saying, "I want to save more money" you might say, "I want to save enough money each month so that I can buy a new computer in August."
Teachers are always looking for ways to improve in the classroom; to assist with any of your New Year's resolutions that relate to instruction, I will recommend five specific and measurable actions you can implement to assist English language learners in the classroom. To increase the likelihood of success and continuity, I suggest teachers pick one item and stick to it for the rest of the year. It is better to do one thing consistently and do it well than to try to do all five and possibly lose focus and motivation, becoming a Jack of all trades and master of none. I also suggest teachers employ the "support group" method to ensure success and use the chosen strategy as a topic for a professional learning community. Sharing successes and challenges with colleagues will help you all grow professionally, and more students will benefit academically.
Check out these tips to support your ELs this semester. Which one will you commit to try? What strategy would you share with a fellow teacher?
Registration Open: Multicultural Education Institute 2017
If you are interested in attending, please submit a completed registration form, hotel confirmation email, and PS10 to Laura Grisso by Wednesday, January 25th. On the PS10, please indicate cost of registration, mileage (if driving), and hotel. The per diem on the PS10 should be listed as $102. Hotel information is listed on the MEI registration form. Make sure to indicate MEI when making reservations to receive the conference discount.
Check out the MEI website for more resources including the call for presentations, teacher incentive grant application, and nomination forms for bilingual of the year awards.
Celebrating International Day at Park Elementary
Park Elementary School celebrated International Day on December 20, 2016. Classroom teachers at each grade level selected a specific country to study and integrated it with their curriculum. In addition, ELL students from Myanmar worked with their ELL teacher and native Spanish speakers worked with the librarian (who is of Mexican descent) to present their home cultures to classmates. Using Culture Boxes borrowed from Eisenhower International School (and available for loan to any TPS school), teachers and students created a display. During the afternoon, all students were invited to visit other classrooms. Park ELL students dressed in native clothing and were able to teach classmates and teachers alike about their heritage.
SIOP Spotlight: Walkers and Talkers
Watch as SIOP® author Deborah Short explains how to facilitate this activity in a brief video. Try it in your classroom!
Understanding Language at Standford University: Free MOOCs Enrolling Now
Learning as Evidence: Improving Argumentation through Formative Assessment Practice
Participants will use a range of practical tools for gathering and analyzing language samples that show how students currently construct claims supported by evidence and/or reasoning.
Designing for Deeper Learning: How to Implement and Improve Performance Tasks
This course will build educators’ capacities to select, adapt, implement, and improve performance assessments that consider language and fit local contexts.
ACCESS 2017 Planning Resources
Test window: February 6, 2017 to March 31, 2017
Materials pick up at Enrollment Center: January 30 and 31, 2017
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 January 16:
January 17, 8:30am - Veteran ACCESS Test Administrator Training (Elementary)
January 17, 12:30pm - New ACCESS Paper-based Test Administrator Training
January 17, 3:45pm - ESL Certification Test Study Group (Elementary)
January 17, 4:00pm - Dual Language PLC (Pre-K - 1st Grade)
January 17, 4:45pm - ESL Certification Test Study Group (Secondary)
January 18, 8:30am - New ACCESS Test Coordinator Training, Part 2
January 18, 12:30pm - New ACCESS Test Coordinator Training, Part 1
January 19, 8:30am - Veteran ACCESS Test Administrator Training (Elementary)
January 19, 12:30pm - New ACCESS Online Test Administrator Training
January 19, 3:30pm - SIOP Seminar: Cooperative Learning Strategies (Elementary)
January 19, 4:00pm - Dual Language PLC (2nd Grade - 5th Grade)
January 19, 4:30pm - SIOP Seminar: Cooperative Learning Strategies (Secondary)
Week of January 23:
January 24, 8:30am - New Kindergarten ACCESS Test Administrator Training
January 24, 8:30am - Veteran ACCESS Test Administrator Training (Secondary)
January 24, 12:30pm - New ACCESS Paper-based Test Administrator Training
January 24, 12:30pm - New Kindergarten ACCESS Test Administrator Training
January 24, 3:30pm - ReadyRosie Share Training
January 25, 8:30am - Veteran ACCESS Test Coordinator Training
January 25, 12:30pm - Veteran ACCESS Test Administrator Training (Elementary)
January 25, 1:00pm - Interpreter and Translator Skill Building Training
January 28, 9:00am - SIOP Saturday: Interaction
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.