Supporting English Learners
August 2020
Welcome Back!
Welcome Back Friends! 2020 has definitely taken us on an interesting ride so far, to say the least. Whether your district has decided to go 100% in person, remote or hybrid, we can all agree that learning must still happen, especially for our English Learners. I hope that you learned great lessons from the spring and saw the importance of having connections with students and their families. Let's keep that same energy for the fall!
This first newsletter is packed with A LOT of great resources and information. Be sure to scroll through its' entirety!
Thank you for all you're doing to provide the best possible education for students!
Monthly ESOL Webinar Dates!
August 25th
September 22nd
October 27th
November 24th
January 26th
February 23rd
March 23rd
April 27th
All webinars will start at 9:00 am!
Equity: Let's Talk About It!
What is our responsibility as educators?
KELPA Updates!
Since KEPLA results will not be available until after September 20, we do not know which students passed the KELPA to be exited, so all students that were eligible for ESOL services at the end of last school year are still eligible for services this year. When KELPA scores become available, students scoring proficient will be moved to transitional status and will not take the KELPA in the spring. Guidance for coding students is on page 14 of the updated ESOL Program Guidance.
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, September 28th
Building Academic Language K-12
4-5:30 pm
Register Here
Monday, November 9th
What's Different About Teaching Reading to ELLs PreK-3
4- 5:30 pm
Register Here
Monday, February 22, 2021
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
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
We Came to America by Faith Ringgold
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. I think now, more than ever, we all see the viable role that technology can play in education. 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.
Here are a few for you to consider:
Spotlight: Resources for ELs
Baamboozle is a quick and easy-to-use tool for playing and creating games. It's perfect as a warmer, concept checker, review lesson, you name it. No two games the same.
Games4ESL is dedicated to making free, fun, and engaging ESL games, activities, and lesson materials for busy English teachers. All the materials on Games4esl.com are free and ready to use.
Eslathome is where you will find links to activities for students in grades K through 12. They require only paper and pencil, and some materials that can be found around the house.
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!
#VirtuEL2020
Theme: Distance learning and language learners
A non-profit, virtual conference that removes the physical, financial, and time barriers for teachers of language learners.
Supporting ELs in 2020-21: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
August 6 at 2 p.m. CST
In this 60 minute, interactive webinar facilitated by Diane Staehr Fenner of SupportEd and Gwyneth Fastnacht and Yutzil Becker of the South Dakota Department of Education, you will:
• Explore lessons learned from distance learning for ELs in spring 2020
• Reflect on five areas for supporting ELs in 2020-21
• Learn about connections between challenges and solutions in reaching ELs in rural, urban, and suburban contexts
• Explore lessons in family engagement in distance learning for ELs and suggestions for the new academic year
Remote or In Class ESOL Instruction – Elementary
Presenters: Ashley Zoglmann
Diana Mendoza
Allysson Gagne
Remote or In Class ESOL Instruction- Middle School
Presenters: Emily Brown
Stephanie Dalrymple
Amber Boyington
Remote or In Class ESOL Instruction- High School
Presenters: Joanna Schindel
Jiahong “Annie” Wang
Replay: Gamification in the Classroom for English Language Learners
Webinar Recording:
https://youtu.be/E2msMvCWNUg
Webinar Slides:
https://www.sdlback.com/content/7-23-2020-Webinar-Resources.zip
Replay: Teaching ELs from a Distance: Tips for Fall Planning
Webinar Recording:
https://youtu.be/vXFcg4z3PkA
Webinar Slides, Handouts, and Certificate of Attendance:
https://www.sdlback.com/content/7-23-20-Webinar-Handouts.zip
Replay: High-Impact Virtual Literacy Instruction for ELL Students
More Professional Development Opportunities!
Engaging Immigrant and EL Families in a Virtual World
with Laura Gardner, MSW
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
1pm - 4pm EDT
#MIDTESOL20
Community at a Crossroads:
The Right to Education
October 3, 2020
Virtual Conference
More information, here
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