Friday, August 28, 2020

Who are the other DL Teachers, you ask?

WEBEX TEAMS have been set up to support Dual Language Teachers by grade level.  Special Education coaches and ESL Teacher Leaders are a member of all grades.  Our DL Teacher who are virtual have a V next to their names.
These teams are a tool so that you are less isolated, more connected, sharing and asking for what you need. Soon, very soon, you all will be masters of COVID teaching and virtual learning.  We really want to band together, support each other.

#juntosmasfuertes



*** Minerva LaLicata has been added to virtual instruction for DL students who have Special needs (updated 9/12/2020)
 

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Blackboard: LW Read Aloud with Diverse Accents and New Word Study Virtual Tools

Hi Dual Language Teachers, Hannah has started a spread sheet for you to upload read alouds you might do, as well as those we might ask memebers of our community read. The google sheets link to the resource is located in the COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY BLACKBOARD SITE, and it is located on the left tool bar right after the 8th grade curriculum and before the Dual Language Content Based Paired Biliteracy. Great Idea TEAM!
ALSO, we are offered virtual word sorts for grades 2-4. Located in the grade level as well as under word study in the COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY BLACKBOARD SITE, you can make a copy for yourself and your students to copy and sort away, screen shot and send to you for feedback! Voila!

Comparte tu luz!

Durante las ultimas semanas, hemos confrontando mucha ansiedad con respeto al comienzo de clases. Nos hemos sentido confundidos con la informacion o la falta de informacion que recibimos. Como ya estamos aproximando el comienzo de clases, de la manera que comienzas, estamos mas tranquilos con las decisions ya tomados y por un camino mas derecho (aunque sea solo temporal). Quiero agradecerles a todos. Todos que comprometimos a diario a servir nuestra comunidad, todos que nos miramos en el espejo y nos dicimos "Si, podemos causar aprendizaje en cualquier nino de cualquier modo", "Si, podemos dar a un nino la oportunidad de una educacion equitativa y bilingue-Somos la diferencia", y "Si podemos enlacer nuestras manos en la lucha para apoderarnos todos". La verdad tenemos mucho por celebrar: un conjunto de maestros completos, un equipo de liderazgo a nivel de nuestros edificios y al nivel de distrito que estan listos para apoyar, y tenemos, en nuestros alumnos, la esperanza de un futuro mejor. Para muchos estudiantes, TU eres su luz de cada dia. En este camino, en este comienzo, espero que encuentremos nuestra luz y que la permitimos BRILLAR! Nuestra luz es mas importante que nunca considerando el ambiente politico, cultural, y criminalistica que esta rodeado a nosotros y nuestra comunidad. Es indudable que nuestros estudiantes estan viviendo, oyendo o de otra manera en contacto con los actos mas violentos y no aceptables de nuestra sociedad. El poder mal usado, para oprimar ninos, familias, culturas, etnias y otros, es un tema univeral. Como vamos a usar nuestra luz y energia para encontrar la manera de hablar sobre estas temas tan dificiles, para abrir la puerta a nuestros jovenes para que ellos expresen y comparten sus emociones, ideas, soluciones y mas que todo, su empatia y su dolor. Como usamos nuestra luz para unirnos por la causa. Se que la lucha de abrir escuelas este ano es como ningun otro, pero ademas el mundo nos esta colocando una oportunidad increible, un curriculo en vivo, eventos que nos pueden unir con la oportunidad de imaginar otro mundo, un mundo creado por los jovenes. Que seamos la luz, el guia, el foco que brilla el camino. Les deseo un comienzo del ano escolar, llena de paciencia, tranquilidad, amor, y empatia....y mas de todo, un comienzo llena de LUZ! -D

Friday, August 21, 2020

Getting to Know your Multilingual Students: QUICK USER GUIDE

 “It sounds so simple, but if we as teachers put more effort into who we are teaching, more of the what would take care of itself”

-Katie, Elementary Teacher (Freeman & Freeman)

(Colorin Colorado Link) (Understanding Values/Beliefs by Ethnicity/country Link)

WHO

What to ask?

Who to ask?

Cultural background

Where is my student or his/her family from?  Where else have they lived?  Keep in mind the danger of the “single story”, every family is unique.

Parents/Students: Focus on building trust.  Meet families on their terms-but meet them.  Show you are listening.

Traditions/Hobbies/

Interests

What do you like to read?  What do you like to write/draw about?  What do you like to talk about with friends? What do you like to play? What makes you special, what are you proud of?  What would make you feel that this classroom was a welcoming place? 


Parent/Students: Focus on building trust and showing that you are authentically listening and truly interested.

Family circumstances


Who does the student live with?  Who is the family contact? Are their parents, siblings or grandparents who live outside the U.S.? Is the student working?  Does the student have adult responsibilities in the family? 

Colleagues: In addition to parents and students, your ESL, Bilingual and some World Language Colleagues may provide insight.

The Multilingual Department shares this information with ESL teachers.

Prior academic experiences

Where have they gone to school? What have they enjoyed about school?  How do they like to learn-what has worked well for them as learners?  What has been challenging? Has English language been measured?  What is their level?What type of programming have they experienced-ESL/Bilingual?

Colleagues: In addition to parents and students, your ESL, Bilingual and some World Language Colleagues may provide insight.

The Multilingual Department shares this information with ESL teachers.

Parents share this information during enrollment.

Bilingualism and Bilingual Literacy

Does the child use more than one language on a daily basis?  In which ways, when?  Does the student read in the home language?  How similar is their home language and literacy to English-what transfers?  Multilingual students have different feelings about

their home language that range from pride and confidence, to shame and fear. Link

Screening for EL Teachers

 

WIDA Remote Screener

WIDA Remote Screener is a remotely administered screening tool that supports the identification of English learners in a time of school closures. This assessment is designed specifically to enable screening when the student and test administrator cannot share a physical space.

Get Ready for Testing

1. Learn about the test.

The WIDA Remote Screener Test Administrator Manual and training webinars explain how to give the test and evaluate the student's performance. In addition to reviewing these resources, watch the training videos and read through the test materials below before you administer the test.

Webinars

Training Videos

2. Identify test administrators.

WIDA Remote Screener is designed to be administered by experienced, WIDA-certified test administrators who have previously administered ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Screener. Experienced test administrators are best positioned to judge the language proficiency of students being screened remotely.

3. Schedule a 30-minute call with the student.

WIDA Remote Screener is to be administered to one student by one test administrator. The student and test administrator are in contact by phone for the full duration of the test administration.

  •  Arrange a video call whenever possible. A visual connection through a platform such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype can help test administrators maintain student engagement and gather the most information possible about the student's language proficiency.
  •  Arrange an interpreter whenever necessary. An interpreter, if permitted by your state and district's testing policies, can minimize any confusion or frustration with this unusual screening process by explaining to the student and any supervising adult what the test is and why the student is taking it. (Interpreters may not translate any test administrator scripting or test items.)

4. Provide test materials to the student.

Students must have access to a hardcopy, printed student packet during screening. Color printing is recommended whenever possible. School, district, and state test coordinators must determine when and how to provide materials to students.

  •  Communicate to students and families that the test materials should not be reviewed until the test administrator calls the student to begin the screening. As you determine whether mail, pick-up from a school or district building, or another method of delivering materials to students is best for your situation, keep in mind that reading through the materials in advance might alter the student's performance on the test. In particular, the Reading portion of the grades 2-12 screener is a valid assessment of a student's reading skills only when the student has not had assistance with the multiple choice items and has not practiced the read-aloud activity.

Print & Download Test Materials

  • Test Administrator Manual. Test administrators need to read this manual and have it available for reference during the screening. Print this manual if you like, or read the electronic version. This document will be expanded and reposted here when materials for grades 2-12 are published.

  • Student Score Sheet. Test administrators can download this document, enter student information, and record a decision on whether the student should be identified as an English language learner. Print only the first page of this document when you administer the K-1 grade-level cluster. Print this document double-sided and complete both pages for grades 2-12 screenings.

  • Test Administrator Scripts and Student Packets. Print these materials double-sided. Staple student packets along the left side to create a facing-page booklet.

    Kindergarten-Grade 1Grades 2-3Grades 4-5Grades 6-8Grades 9-12
    ScriptScriptScriptScriptScript
    Student PacketStudent PacketStudent PacketStudent PacketStudent Packet

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Adding an ESL License Options at Carrol U




Increase your IMPACT on immigrant and other students learning English!  Carroll U is now offering an ESL certification, taught by some of our best and brightest.  Information in the link below.

 https://www.carrollu.edu/academics/education/certificates-licensure/english-as-a-second-language-license


Monday, August 10, 2020

DL Word Study NEW RESOURCES!!!

 

Blackboard now includes a few resources to support your fidelity to word study.  Under the Comprehensive Literacy Tab, search for Word Study.  Locate the Dual Language Word Study Planners by Grade.  Here, you will see two new Resources:

1. All Grade levels have a reproducible link for quick printing.  This link allows you to quickly print and bind your year of reproducibles so that you can quickly locate and photocopy.  If we are virtual, it may be a nice gesture for students to have a printed copy of their word study at home.
2. Grades 2-5 will have a PPT that can be copied and added to Blackboard course shells for literacy.  These power points were lovingly created to allow our virtual learners to sort, classify, blend and segment all sorts of words that allow for the independent, sensory, graphic application our students need!  (5th will be posted by school start)

EL Screener for ESL Teachers

 link

WIDA Remote Screener

WIDA Remote Screener is a remotely administered screening tool that supports the identification of English learners in a time of school closures. This assessment is designed specifically to enable screening when the student and test administrator cannot share a physical space.

Get Ready for Testing

1. Learn about the test.

The WIDA Remote Screener Test Administrator Manual and training webinars explain how to give the test and evaluate the student's performance. In addition to reviewing these resources, watch the training video and read through the test materials below before you administer the test.

Webinars

Training Video

2. Identify test administrators.

WIDA Remote Screener is designed to be administered by experienced, WIDA-certified test administrators who have previously administered ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Screener. Experienced test administrators are best positioned to judge the language proficiency of students being screened remotely.

3. Schedule a 30-minute call with the student.

WIDA Remote Screener is to be administered to one student by one test administrator. The student and test administrator are in contact by phone for the full duration of the test administration.

  •  Arrange a video call whenever possible. A visual connection through a platform such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype can help test administrators maintain student engagement and gather the most information possible about the student's language proficiency.
  •  Arrange an interpreter whenever necessary. An interpreter, if permitted by your state and district's testing policies, can minimize any confusion or frustration with this unusual screening process by explaining to the student and any supervising adult what the test is and why the student is taking it. (Interpreters may not translate any test administrator scripting or test items.)

4. Provide test materials to the student.

Students must have access to a hardcopy, printed student packet during screening. Color printing is recommended whenever possible. School, district, and state test coordinators must determine when and how to provide materials to students.

  •  Communicate to students and families that the test materials should not be reviewed until the test administrator calls the student to begin the screening. As you determine whether mail, pick-up from a school or district building, or another method of delivering materials to students is best for your situation, keep in mind that reading through the materials in advance might alter the student's performance on the test. In particular, the reading portion of the grades 2-12 screener is a valid assessment of a student's reading skills only when the student has not had assistance with the multiple-choice items and has not practiced the read-aloud activity.

Print & Download Test Materials

  • Test Administrator Manual. Test administrators need to read this manual and have it available for reference during the screening. Print this manual if you like, or read the electronic version.

  • Score Sheet. Test administrators can download this document, enter student information, and record a decision on whether the student should be identified as an English language learner. Print only the first page of this document when you administer the K-1 grade-level cluster. Print this document double-sided and complete both pages for grades 2-12 screenings.

  • Test Administrator Scripts and Student Packets. Print these materials double-sided. Staple each student packet along the left side to create a facing-page booklet.

    Kindergarten-Grade 1Grades 2-3Grades 4-5Grades 6-8Grades 9-12
    ScriptScriptScriptScriptScript
    Student PacketStudent PacketStudent PacketStudent PacketStudent Packet

Friday, August 7, 2020

DL Math for Bilingualism and Biliteracy 4th and 5th grade


Dual Language Math Language Allocation Changes 2020-2021

Part of the way to support you is to ensure messaging around the Math 4th/5th Language Allocation Plan changes.  Leslie Waltz and I have assembled essential messaging about how to bridge within the math units.
Please watch the webinar below (ppt here): 

LAP/Dual Language Annual Calendar links






This link holds the Dual Language Allocation Plan
This link holds the Dual Language Pacing Calendar

Coteaching for ELLs with your building ESL teacher




When you learning something new, you learn new language that goes with the task.  Since many students are learning new and not previously exposed content-we must also assume that most of our students are also learning the academic language that accompanies the content.  With this in mind, we must accept that all of our learners are language learners.

What do our students need to learn and be able to do? 

What is the language that they will need to acquire in order to be able to demonstrate their learning? 

Wouldn't it be great to be able to write objectives for student learning that are inclusive of the language they will be using and acquiring?



What's your function?
All learning tasks have a function.  A function represents what students have to do with language.  We can think broadly that there are four main communicative functions that students will be engaged in: Recounting, Explaining, Arguing and Discussing. 

What's the Language?
To be able to recount, explain, argue and discuss, you know as content area teachers, that students need vocabulary that is precise and technical.  Students need to differentiate the meaning of words that might have multiple meanings depending on context.  As teachers we are often great at figuring out the specific vocabulary our students need to be exposed to.

Vocabulary alone falls short.  Most of the time our vocabulary learning stays at the "comprehension level" and helps students to understand text and content,  and infrequently transfers to speaking and writing. Why does this happen?  This is likely to happen when we have not planned for the language that connects vocabulary word to longer speech and writing applications.

Planning for the phrases and the connected frames of language that allow students to recount, explain, argue and discuss with compound and complex sentences is what binds vocabulary to speech and writing.
Students need to have models and supports of language that helps them sequence, compare, contrast, infer, and cite evidence.  These models provide frames for students to use that helps them to apply vocabulary to their cognition.  Sample frame looks like: In contrast with _______, ______.,    ______is in contrast with _____ because......  As you can see, these frames help to support students to apply their extended and compound, complex language.

Am I on my own-who are my allies?
Planning for language (Vocabulary and Compound/Complex Sentences/Phrases) can seem like a very big job.  Sometimes content area teachers-those who know their content and it's language best, still struggle to make the language accessible and most of all....learned.  To achieve the goal educators have to ensure access and learning of all learners must include planning for the academic language students need.  This is especially true for students we know are learning English as their partner language.  

Know and Doing-closing the Breach
Now we know a lot, much more than we did when we started reading.  What is our next step.  In future blogs and resources you will have access to tools to help you plan for language, but for this blog, I am forwarding the idea that the best way to plan for language is to grab a friend! Grad a friend (ie. your ESL teacher) and coplan together.  Coplanning allows you both to bring your expertise in content, and language, to serve the learners before you both!

Tools to do the job!
The tools below are tools that you can use to engage with your ESL teacher at your building. ESL teachers are specialists in language and culture.  Our SDW ESL teachers are very skilled in ensuring planning is grade level, standards based, inclusive of the language needed to achieve the communicative purpose-but most importantly, these specialists can the key to close the breach between knowing and doing.  We are waiting for your collaboration!

Link to Lesson  Planning Template http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/bilingual-ed/l.i._rbern_co-teaching_instructional_planning_templates.pdf

Monday, August 3, 2020

Free and Accessible Digital Books in Spanish for staff and families


These 1st-6th grade texts are FREE and can be used to screen shot for ppt. whole group and/or small group instruction.  There are several different types of text available for virtual learning, lots of poems and informational texts as well.
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This website offers many books in English and Spanish that can be used for small group and guided instruction.  The target population is 4K-1st grade, maybe some second grade.   This site also reads the books to the students!
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This site has books in many languages including English and Spanish.  They offer many books in all genres to students preK-age 13.  Could be useful for small group instruction, definitely a support for families in both Spanish and English.  
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