Beyond Fronteras
Celebrating our ESC1 Bilingual Community: May 2022
On the Spotlight
By Karina Chapa, ESC1 Language Proficiency, Biliteracy, and Cultural Diversity Director
Just when we thought this year couldn't get more challenging, the tragedy in Uvalde hit us, and it hit us hard. Our hearts and prayers go out to that beautiful community that has suffered an unimaginable loss. Regardless of their geographical location, we count every Texas child as ours, and at such, their pain is our pain.
We ask you to please keep praying for the families of the 19 children and 2 teachers who lost their lives on that tragic day, but also for the rest of the UCISD staff, including our Region One friend Dr. Mario Ferrón, former Dual Language Coordinator at PSJA ISD and current Bilingual/ESL/Migrant Director in Uvalde CISD. Dr. Mario Ferrón, Region One está con usted y con todos nuestros hermanos de Uvalde, TX.
If anyone is interested in offering a donation to the Robb School Memorial Fund, please call 830-278-6231 and ask for Roxanne Hernandez, Chance Neutze or Cody Smith or go to FSBUvalde.com. For Zelle donations: robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com For more information, go to: https://www.ucisd.net/
Thank you all for remaining united and pushing forward to wrap up this 2021-2022 school year. May the end of this cycle offer us an opportunity to reflect, be thankful, celebrate our students accomplishments, and help us continue our long tradition of excellence. Mil gracias y esperamos que disfruten este boletín.
Karina E. Chapa, M.Ed.
Language Proficiency, Biliteracy, and Cultural Diversity Director
Center for Excellence in Education of Diverse Students
Region One Education Service Center
@esc1bilingual
Virtual Learning Tips
By Felicia Salinas, ESC1 Bilingual/ESL Specialist
Gamify your classroom with Blooket! Blooket is a free online assessment tool you can use to gamify learning and increase student engagement. It was designed for teachers with a focus on students. As a teacher you can host a question set with a unique game mode projected to a screen and students can join to compete using an electronic device. Second option is sharing a link to a set of questions with your students. Students can then log in using the link and play solo from anywhere, even at home! You can search for specific content based questions or create your own. Blooket also includes a ‘STATS’ tab with game history reports to see how students perform on the questions. Most importantly, Blooket is a fascinating tool for emergent bilinguals to continue to practice reading and develop academic language.
Multicultural Book Spotlight
By Dr. Lileana Ríos-Ledezma, ESC1 Bilingual/ESL Specialist
“Some people have eyes like sapphire lagoons with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns, not me.” “My eyes kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.”
This gorgeous and exquisitely written picture book details the vivid descriptions of the beauty that exists in Asian Americans, a historically marginalized people. This heart-felt lyrical prose speaks to many who have at some point felt the standard definition of beauty did not apply and seeks to inspire a revolution in which ALL people, regardless of cultural race or ethnicity recognize their own beauty.
In Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, the narrator pushes beyond the physical characteristics and develops a strong sense of identity, self-love, and pride in one’s own cultural heritage. This strengthens the relevance of the message of the book and echoes Dr. Martin Luther King’s infamous quote: “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Love yourself! Happy Reading!
La esquina bilingüe
El doctor Dan Siegel, profesor de psiquiatría en la UCLA, afirma que nuestras mentes son más que funcionamientos cerebrales; el dice que las conexiones y relaciones con los demás son importantes y de gran influencia en la experiencia que brindamos a otros. En sus investigaciones, el Doctor Siegel nos invita a fomentar relaciones saludables con nuestros estudiantes. El tener una relación positiva con los estudiantes te trae muchos beneficios para la educación en el aula. Una conexión saludable entre alumnos y el maestro resulta en un ambiente de confianza y respeto mutuo. Siegel dice que este ambiente de respeto y confianza crea un ambiente de tranquilidad en el salón de clase. Cuando el estudiante se siente respetado y ha desarrollado confianza con el tutor, la comunicación será más efectiva. En sí, tener una comunicación efectiva es una herramienta de gran valor para instruir a los alumnos. Esta fomenta que el estudiante pueda expresar sus dudas, comunicar su percepción de los temas escolares, y además de poder compartir sus sentimientos. Te invito a evaluar tu ambiente de clase. Considera lo siguiente: ¿Sienten mis estudiantes la libertad de expresar sus ideas, dudas y emociones dentro del aula? ¿Doy oportunidades de que mis alumnos hablen libremente de sus perspectivas sobre los temas que contemplamos en clase? ¿Me siento respetado por mis alumnos? ¿Le doy respeto a mis estudiantes? Para fomentar un ambiente de confianza en tu salon, no es necesario cambiar tus metodologías de enseñanza. Puedes crear un aula donde tus alumnos se sientan respetados y con confianza con sencillas estrategias diarias: sonreír genuinamente, fomentar la expresión de opiniones y respetarlas, dedicar tiempo a entender el conocimiento de fondo de cada estudiante.
ESL CORNER
By Felicia Salinas, ESC1 Bilingual/ESL Specialist
Let’s get “REALIA” about ESL students learning. Realia is a term used to describe real-life objects brought into the classroom to help with students’ comprehension of a lesson, concept, idea and build English language development. Realia is a great way to make learning experiences for ESL students more memorable and create connections between objects, their own lives, and the learning concepts. Using realia in lessons impacts ESL learning by making content visible going beyond a picture or an image. Its kinesthetic approach provides a multisensory experience where students get to touch, hear, smell, and sometimes even taste! By doing this, it promotes comprehensible input; thus, learning is acquired and retained. Not only does realia catch students attention, but most importantly, it can be used in all content areas!
Educators first must analyze their lessons and then brainstorm possible objects that can be implemented in the lesson to teach the concept. Examples of realia could include music, food, miniature representations of real life objects, plants, animals, any real life object that could be brought into class. It could be used as a whole group or placing realia in different stations where students could rotate between stations to analyze the object, make connections between object and concept, and then share those connections with partners or groups about the objects. The possibilities are endless,and the benefits are tremendous!
¿Sabías que...?
By Dr. Lileana Ríos-Ledezma, ESC1 Bilingual/ESL Specialist
It is a long-time principle and practice for effective standards-based instruction to include constant formative and summative assessments in an effort to monitor students’ success and progress towards achieving mastery on learning targets (McMillian, 2013). With authentic feedback, students, teachers, and stakeholders alike can consider the “just in time” steps required to enhance student learning.
Suzy Pepper Rollins’ Step 6: Conduct Formative Assessment Frequently, of the Acceleration Framework is essential for acceleration since this practice helps teachers immediately “see” what students already know and identify areas where students may need further clarification or additional scaffolds. Conducting formative assessments frequently extends the opportunity for instructional adjustments to occur immediately and are continuously differentiated since they are based on student data.
“Students targeted for acceleration have an urgent need for real success
right now. For that to occur, teachers must use primarily “soft” formative
assessment to provide descriptive feedback” (Rollins, 2014, p.17)
Some examples of “soft” formative assessments include:
Using Mini-White boards: Each student, or groups of students, has a mini-whiteboard. As they work through problems, they can share them either with you as a class, or you can walk around the classroom and see their work.
Chalkboard Splash: Numerous students respond to a prompt/question on the chalkboard or whiteboard at the same time.
Padlet Corkboard: Students are able to collaboratively post their closing thoughts, ideas, questions, or comments on a digital cork board anonymously.
BILINGUAL DIRECTORS CORNER
State EL Strategic Plan
2023 Accountability System Reset Summer Roadshow
2021-2022 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application Amendment Deadline
The 2021-2022 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Federal Grant Application amendment deadline is June 2, 2022. Prior to the amendment deadline, LEAs should ensure all appropriate program schedules have been amended to incorporate current activities and the current-year allocation, for applicable schedules, as budgeted on the BS6001 – Budget Schedule.
To view your LEA application, log into TEAL and select eGrants as the application. Once in eGrants, click on Grants on the menu bar.
2022-2023 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application
The 2022-2023 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Federal Grant Application is now available in eGrants. Allocations for eligible applicants are available and can be viewed on the Entitlements page.
Visit the TEA Grant Opportunities page for detailed information about the grant program application. Search for 2022-2023 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application. Additional information on how to apply for a grant is available on the Applying for a Grant page.
Remember! If you would like Region One ESC to be your fiscal agent for Title III, Part A or Title III, Immigrant, you must select us as such on the ADC page.
Eligible applicants must apply through the eGrants system by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, September 2, 2022.
2022 Accountability Manual
Nationwide Call for Student Performing Artists
In Title III News
By Leticia Sánchez, ESC1 Title III Coordinator
It's finally summer! The May Edition of Parents and Families Newsletter is available as TEA continues to provide a wealth of information and parent and family resources. In this edition, you will find information on TELPAS and STAAR reports. You will get links to helpful websites that can help your child continue learning in a fun way! If you have a child getting ready for college, be sure to visit the Student Resources section on txel.org for updated scholarship information. Follow the links to the selected websites that can help with at-home learning. You can also read about self-care tips and fun activities to do with your child during this month of love and friendship!
For Parents/Para los papás
Several state agencies have partnered to provide families with young children a guide to services, resources and programs available in our state through the Early Childhood Texas website: https://earlychildhood.texas.gov/ It is divided into four sections: Health & Development, Parenting, Child Care & Education, and Eligibility Programs. Each section will guide you to information, tips and local and state agencies that provide a wealth of resources and services. From child development to nutrition, and parenting tips to healthcare, you can find reliable information here! The site is available in English, español and Tiếng Việt .
We would also appreciate if you took a few minutes to complete this survey in regards to the services provided to bilingual children in Texas schools: https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZJFdpkOGf0gy22
Varias agencias estatales se han asociado para proporcionar a las familias con niños pequeños una guía de servicios, recursos y programas disponibles en nuestro estado a través del sitio web de Early Childhood Texas: https://earlychildhood.texas.gov/ Está dividido en cuatro secciones: Salud y desarrollo , crianza de los hijos, cuidado y educación infantil y programas de elegibilidad. Cada sección lo guiará a información, consejos y agencias locales y estatales que brindan una gran cantidad de recursos y servicios. ¡Desde el desarrollo infantil hasta la nutrición y los consejos para padres hasta la atención médica, puede encontrar información confiable aquí! El sitio está disponible en inglés, español y Tiếng Việt.
También le agradeceríamos que se tomara unos minutos de su valioso tiempo para contestar esta encuesta del estado sobre los servicios educativos que reciben los niños bilingües en Texas: https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZJFdpkOGf0gy22
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
FREE! Online Bilingual, BTLPT, and ESL Certification Training
Due to the overwhelming response to the free preparation courses for the 190 Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Spanish exam, additional course cohorts have been added. Four additional cohorts (15-18) have been scheduled for June and July. Seats are limited so please visit the English Learner Portal to sign up for the course.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Reset, Rethink, Redesign 3-Day Institute: Accelerating Learning through Content-Based Literacy for ALL: June 7-9, 2022
ESSA Consolidated Application Webinar: June 7, 2022
- TABE Dual Language Symposium: June 17-18, 2022
- Title III Symposium: July 28-29, 2022
Contact Us
Karina E. Zuno-Chapa, M.Ed.
Director of Language Proficiency, Biliteracy, and Cultural Diversity
956-984-6246
Leticia Sánchez, M.Ed.
Title III Coordinator
956-984-6193
Lileana Ríos-Ledezma, Ph.D
Bilingual/ESL Specialist
956-984-6153
Felicia Salinas, M.Ed.
Bilingual/ESL Specialist
956-984-6118
Pedro García, M.Ed.
Bilingual/ESL Specialist
956-984-6158
Diana Gonzalez
Program Assistant
956-984-6238
Email: kchapa@esc1.net
Website: www.esc1.net/bilingual
Location: 1900 West Schunior Street, Edinburg, TX, USA
Phone: 956-984-6238
Facebook: facebook.com/ESC1Bilingual
Twitter: @esc1bilingual