ELD Weekly Bulletin
Title III/ELD Listserv - October 19, 2015
Writing Poetry with English Language Learners
Writing poetry is a great exercise for English language learners. It gives them a chance to experiment with language and vocabulary, and to freely share their ideas without the confinement of perfect grammar or firm structures. Many ELLs have also had rich life experiences that range from memories of their home culture to saying good-bye to loved ones and adjusting to a new life in the U.S. They may very well welcome this opportunity to create heartfelt poems to share with their classmates and family. Here are some suggestions for getting started:
- Read a variety of poems first. I would recommend a couple of different kinds of poems before assigning any writing activities. For more ideas on how to start a unit on poetry, be sure to take a look at Introducing and Reading Poetry with English Language Learners. While the introduction doesn't have to be too in-depth, giving students time to read and think about poems will help them feel more comfortable when it's time to write.
- Introduce different poetry forms as models. Read some poems that fit the structure or format, discuss unique rhyming or line patterns, and then have students try writing on their own, using the poems read in class as a model. Focus on each form before moving on to the next one so that students have a chance to master it.
- Use poetry throughout the curriculum. You may also wish to use poetry writing as an activity in other content-area lessons, or trying having students write some of these poems as riddles that their classmates have to figure out.
Read more about learning experiences to support ELLs writing poetry.
La Familia: La Casa de Colores National Poet Laureate Project
The theme for October 15 - November 14 is Migrants: Portraits and Friendships.
Every inch of this land is woven with migrant trails. These are pathways from family to family, country to country, and most of all heart to heart. For this month, find a trail and travel through it to a new dream. What do you see in your travels? And how do you make friends along the way? Describe for me in the language of poetry—migrate into new words, use new landscapes of images.
Day of the Dead Facts in English and Spanish
by Jenny B
In the last decade, the U.S. has embraced the Day of the Dead with enthusiasm. Brightly colored calaveras grin from T-shirts and coffee mugs. Day of the Dead festivals announce events ranging from 10k runs to concerts to art fairs. Children, however, do not always see that behind the beautiful icons and festive atmosphere the Day of the Dead has great significance for many people. You can help children understand the tradition with these basic Day of the Dead facts.
Read more about Day of the Dead facts in English and Spanish here.
Tulsa Living Arts: Día de los Muertos
Living Arts is located at 307 E. M.B. Brady St. in Downtown Tulsa
Please note that on Sunday, Nov 1st, admission to the Day of the Dead Arts Festival is by cash only. There will be ATMs available.
Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a celebration of Hispanic heritage honoring loved ones who have passed away.
The 21st Living Arts Day of the Dead Arts Festival will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2015, 2 - 11pm. $5 admission, cash only (children 12 and under free).
Webinar Opportunity: Serving Newcomer Immigrant and Refugee Students in Secondary Schools: Comparing U.S. and European Practices
When: Thursday, October 22, 201, 10:00 A.M. CDT (1-hour and 15 minute webinar)
Drawing lessons from Europe and the United States, speakers will explore some of the urgent challenges facing school system leaders and educators as they seek ways to support these students and improve graduation rates.
Placing a focus on challenges and solutions from both sides of the Atlantic, speakers will discuss:
- Characteristics of immigrant and refugee students, including the specific needs of subgroups such as students with limited or interrupted formal education
- The implications of major design features of the educational systems that serve these students, including practices such as testing and identification of language learners, ability tracking into vocational or academic secondary schools, and approaches to balancing targeted services with social and academic integration into the mainstream
- Innovations in program design and instruction to provide linguistic and academic support to immigrant and refugee youth entering in their middle and high school years
The WIDA Link
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Sign up here to stay up-to-date on opportunities for current and future research and development projects.
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Coalition of Hispanic Organizations - Free Health Fair
Free health screenings and resources to promote health for the Hispanic community.
Tulsa, Oklahoma - On Saturday October 24th from 9am -3pm the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations and OSU Center for Family Resilience will be hosting a free health clinic at San Miguel Elementary School 2434 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74110. This will be 4th health fair that serves mainly the Hispanic community, a majority of whom do not have insurance and have difficulty accessing health resources.
Coalition of Hispanic Organizations works to influence and advance the well-being and quality of life of all Hispanics in Tulsa. Through their partnerships with the following organizations, we hope to improve health disparities within the Hispanic community. At the COHO Health Fair the following organizations and companies will be offering free health services:
Flu shots – Walgreens
Body Mass Index, Blood Cholesterol testing- OSU Center for Family Resilience
Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose testing, and Dental Screenings- Community Health Connection
Eye Health and Vision screenings- Northeastern State University College of Optometry
Accredited immigration attorneys from TU Boesche Legal Clinic and Mawby & Litz will provide immigration legal consultation at no charge.
In addition to health services, several representatives from local community based organizations will be available answer questions. Community based organizations offering information on education, legal issues as well as other social services will be represented. Additionally free childcare and youth enrichment activities will be provided by Campfire USA and Power of Families Project.
Tulsa Community College students will be providing medical interpretation.
All services are provided at no cost for participants. COHO is very grateful to our corporate sponsors: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, V.R Electric, Walgreens, Statefarm, as well as media support for publicity such as El Nacional, La Semana del Sur, La Que Buena, La Zeta, Univision, and Las Americas.
NOW PAST DUE: OCR Language Assistance Services Training
You must register for the course in Edivate using the registration code in the registration guide. If you search and view the video without registering, you will not receive credit for course completion.
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Please remember to complete your OCR Language Assistance Training for School Year 2015-2016 by October 1. All staff who interact with parents are required to complete this training. To received credit for completion, login to Edivate following the steps in the OCR Language Assistance Registration Guide, view the video in full, and review the resource documents in the PDF. Training completion is tracked individually in Edivate. Please email Laura Grisso with any questions.
Title III/ELD Upcoming Events
October 22, 9:00am - Interpreter & Translator Training (Register in Edivate)
October 24, 8:00 - Dual Language Lesson Cycle Training (Day 2)
Register in MyLearningPlan unless otherwise noted.
Click here to view the Title III/ELD Calendar.
ELD Weekly Bulletins for SY2015-2016
October 5, 2015 September 28, 2015 September 21, 2015 September 14, 2015 September 7,2015 August 31, 2015 August 24, 2015 August 19, 2015 August 17, 2015 August 10, 2015 August 3, 2015 July 27, 2015