Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - November 21, 2016
How ELL Specialists Can Use Stories to Become Stronger Influences
A few weeks back, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2016 WIDA National Conference in Philadelphia. More than 39 states and educational organizations participate in the WIDA Consortium, so this conference is a really a big deal. For those of you who haven’t been, this is an amazing conference with much to offer. But now, just days later, the key takeaways are already fuzzy!
This isn't uncommon. In a study, researchers found that immediately after a 10-minute presentation, listeners only remembered 50% of what was said. By the next day, that had dropped to 25%, and a week later it was 10%.
However, I do remember 100% of the story told by Rosalva, an ESL specialist who spoke out during the last minute of a session:
“Two ELs, one boy and one girl from Mexico, entered Birmingham City Schools in the second grade. They attended the same schools, even though they had no ties to each other except for being ELs. As the years passed, they attended the same schools and both exited the ESL program at the same time; in seventh grade. They ended up studying at Parker High School, where one could practically count the number of ELs in one hand. They both belonged to one of our generation of students who dropped out by the time they turned 16. Well, last year they graduated! One as valedictorian and the other as the salutatorian!"
The room erupted into applause. Immediately afterwards I thanked Rosalva and asked to hear more. I sat in a chair next to her as the other attendees left to attend the next session.
LCS Department T-shirt Order
All orders and payments are due by December 9th, 2016 to the Language and Cultural Services office.
Pricing information below:
S - XL - $9.50
2XL - 11.50
3XL - $12.50
4XL - $13.50
Reminder: ELD Teacher Institute Interest Survey
We have been busy planning for our Dec. 2nd Teaching Institute and we are looking forward to our time together as a department. For this upcoming institute, we will be featuring one session during the day in which you will have the option to choose your preferred session. This session is titled “Hot Topics.” Please read the descriptions below of the various “Hot Topics” sessions and click on the survey link below to rank your preferences. Please complete all required survey fields. If you have not yet responded, please respond by Wednesday, November 23rd. If you choose not to respond your hot topic session will be assigned so that training plan details can be finalized.
We will do our best to accommodate first preferences. Please understand that sessions will be limited to room occupancy so some of you may be attending another session that you have ranked important. Please let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on the 2nd!
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Hot Topics – Session Descriptions:
Language and Cultural Experiences
As time moves forward, our student population grows increasingly diverse. The Internet makes cultures from around the world more easily accessible, allowing educators to incorporate cultural education activities into their curriculum. In this workshop, participants will explore how music, dance, songs and singing games from around the world can enrich multicultural learning experiences for all students.
National Geographic
A great opportunity to come and explore National Geographic (Reach, Inside, Edge) resources online in working with EL students and teachers. We will explore a variety of instructional supports and resources that can be integrated in the classroom. National Geographic tools and resources include authentic text, audio, video, photographic, and hands-on instructional materials. Creating a lesson plan could never be easier than just a few clicks to create or customize weekly plans. Come join the excitement of learning together!!!
Amplify/CKLA Extension
If you would like more time to explore the aspects of Amplify/CKLA (presented in October), this session is for you! This interactive session will feature a short picture/video slideshow demonstrating how ELD teachers are currently supporting EL students during their CKLA co-teaching times. You will be given an open lab time to explore the online components of CKLA independently or in cooperative groups. A physical set of CKLA materials will also be available for you to review. Session prerequisite: You must have an active Amplify/CKLA account. To register/activate your account, access directions from our October TI: www.bit.ly/16-17ti
Newcomer Resources
Being a Newcomer can be a bit scary for our students (and sometimes our teachers!). What are some out-of-the-classroom activities you can do with your students to get them more involved and feeling more like a part of our community? How can we give our Newcomers more support? Come find out about some resources that can get your students (and you!) out of the classroom and into our community. This session will focus on a variety of activities, ideas, supports, and a plan that you can take back to your schools.
Writing and the Arts
This interactive session provides teachers with practical strategies that can be used to integrate the arts and writing into a variety of assignments. Ideas can be adapted for students at a variety of levels.
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Hot Topics Survey Link: https://goo.gl/forms/18QO7L2StvwoEaQ52
WIDA 2017 Call for Proposals and Reviewers
The call for proposals for the WIDA 2017 conference is now open. The WIDA 2017 conferece will take place in Tampa, Florida October 16-19, 2017.
Each year, the proposal system changes slightly to adjust to attendee and presenter feedback. The major change this year is that we have expanded the topic areas from 4 to 13. Presenters should review the topic areas and related guiding questions and identify the best fit.
We would also love for you to include links to videos of your presentations or any presentation materials you plan to use within your application if it is something you have readily available. However, it is not required as part of the proposal submission process.
Please read over this year's details at WIDA 2017 Proposal Submissions. If you would like to be a proposal reviewer, take time to share your contact information and areas of expertise.
Please share this message with any of your colleagues who also may be interested in presenting at WIDA 2017. Thanks in advance for helping us create one of the best conferences available anywhere for ELL administrators and educators across the country and around the world!
Language and Cultural Services will provide Title III funds for registration and travel for any Tulsa PS team member who is accepted to present at WIDA 2017.
Ellevation Updates
When you log into Ellevation, you’ll notice a new tab called Instruction. Now you can access instructional strategies from any page in Ellevation, without having to login as a classroom teacher.
You’ll also notice that we made some more minor changes to the navigation, providing a more modern look and feel along with a new search bar at the top of every page to quickly access students and groups.
No functionality will change, just a quick update to the look and feel. We hope this helps improve your experience. Either way, please let us know. This new navigation is just the beginning of many design and functionality improvements coming later this school year!
LCS Team Member Spotlight
Holly Reid, ELD teacher at Marshall Elementary School
1. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
If I could live anywhere, I would choose somewhere in Latin America where I could improve my Spanish abilities! Second choice is wine country in California ;)
2. What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite thing about my career is working with elementary-age students. To me, their curiosity and excitement for learning feels like gratitude. As an ELD teacher, it’s super rewarding reveal knowledge to students through our SIOP techniques and other strategies for Els. Another favorite is the hilarious things my kids say all the time, ex. “Did you wet yourself in the rain?” instead of “Did you get wet in the rain?”
3. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be?
If I could do anything for a day, I’d love to be a tour guide at a national park or something. It may sound boring, but my random/useless fact ability is top notch and I think I’d be good at it!
Missed a Department Meeting?
Elementary ELD Department Meetings
Language & Cultural Services Events
Week of November 21, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving!
Week of November 28, 2016
December 1, 2:30pm - Interpreter and Translator Skill Building Training (Edivate)
December 2, 8:30am - ELD Teacher Institute at Thoreau Demonstration
December 2, 8:30am - Dual Language and Language Immersion Teacher Institute at Zarrow International
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.