LCPS English Language Learners Program

LCPS English Language Learners Program

[10/02/15]   U.S. Departments of Education and Justice’s English Learner Tool Kit, available at the link below, contains ten chapters aligned to the EL guidance published in January, 2015. These resources are designed to assist education agencies in ensuring that ELs in public schools have access to a high-quality education.

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/english-learner-toolkit/index.html

vesa | Annual Conference

Save to date for the Virginia ESL Supervisors (VESA) 2016 Conference! Jan. 28-29, 2016
http://www.vesava.org/#!conference/c1wk9

vesava.org The Virginia ESL Supervisors' Association, VESA promotes the academic achievement of English Language Learners in grades PK. Annual Conference in early February

What It Takes for English Learners to Succeed

Imagine Learning

See what is happening with Imagine Learning.

We teach language, literacy, and mathematics to the children of the world, changing lives and opening doors of opportunity.

WIDA

WIDA page. The download library has added extra WIDA resources.

WIDA advances academic language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students.

WIDA

Great WIDA Brief on using technology in the classroom. Go to the WIDA download library at wida.us/download. Look under "New" in the upper left hand and find the PDF of "Focus on Technology in the Classroom"

wida.us/

wida.us WIDA supports academic language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students through high quality standards, assessments, research, and professional development for educators.

ASCD book - The Differentiated Classroom, 2nd Edition by Carol Ann Tomlinson

http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/differentiated-classroom-2nd-edition.aspx

ascd.org In the update of her best-selling, classic work, Carol Ann Tomlinson offers a powerful and practical way to meet a challenge that is both very modern and completely timeless: how teachers can divide their time, resources, and efforts to effectively instruct so many students of various backgrounds, r…

Take Action: Verbs That Define Bloom’s Taxonomy

Action verbs for revised Bloom's: http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/take-action-verbs-that-define-blooms-taxonomy/ #education #edchat #MDESchat

blogs.kqed.org A neat visualization of the verbs associated with Bloom's Taxonomy.

Resources and Downloads for Differentiated Instruction

5 suggestions for better STEM education: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-budget-resources-downloads?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=stw-downloads-differentiated-instruction-list-pencil-bubbles-repost2

edutopia.org Daily collaborative planning time at Mesquite Elementary enables teachers to plan differentiated instruction to address the progress of each student. Credit: Zachary Fink Tips for downloading:

Resources and Downloads for Differentiated Instruction

Downloads and resources for differentiated instruction: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-budget-resources-downloads?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=stw-downloads-differentiated-instruction-list-pencil-bubbles-repost2

edutopia.org Daily collaborative planning time at Mesquite Elementary enables teachers to plan differentiated instruction to address the progress of each student. Credit: Zachary Fink Tips for downloading:

[05/15/14]   Great article and resources for summer reading in English and Spanish provided by Imagine Learnihttp://www.imaginelearning.com/blog/2014/05/jump-into-summer-reading/ng

Let It Marinate: The Importance of Reflection and Closing

In what different ways do you structure reflection and closings in your classroom? http://www.edutopia.org/blog/let-it-marinate-reflection-closing-joshua-block?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-let-it-marinate-reflection-closing-link #edchat #reflection @edutopia

edutopia.org I am one of those people who regularly figures out exactly what to say after the moment has passed. I will be deep in conversation with someone, sharing thoughts and bouncing around ideas. Yet, as th

Engaging our students to the end

Ways to keep students engaged through the very last day of school: http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/04/28/engaging-our-students-to-the-end/?utm_source=brief @EliaSaikaly #innovation #MDESchat

smartblogs.com It’s test time! The majority of our students are currently involved in high-stakes, year-end standardized testing. They are going through rigorous reviews

[04/28/14]   Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Webinar on the Newest WWC Practice Guide on Teaching English Learners

The webinar will focus on the new WWC practice guide "Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School." The presenters will cover key recommendations in the areas of academic vocabulary, content-area material, written language, and small-group instructional intervention.
The webinar will be held on May 1, 2014, 3:00–4:15 p.m. ET.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/642821034780109313

[04/23/14]   Worth Reading:
"What Research Says About… / Closing the Vocabulary Gap"
Jane L. David
Educational Leadership: March 2010 | Volume 67 | Number 6
Reading to Learn Pages 85-86

[04/22/14]   Excellent books by Margarita Calderon: Margarita's most recent books are, Breaking Through: Effective Instruction & Assessment for Reaching English Learners. An Anthology, winner of the 2013 Bronze Publishers' Award and Teaching Reading and Comprehension to English Learners.

Teach teachers how to create magic

Teach teachers how to create magic http://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_emdin_teach_teachers_how_to_create_magic?utm_content=bufferd33e5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer #TED #TEDx #TEDxAshburn

ted.com What do rap shows, barbershop banter and Sunday services have in common? As Christopher Emdin says, they all hold the secret magic to enthrall and teach at the same time — and it’s a skill we often don't teach to educators. The science advocate (and cofounder of Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. with th…

Solution Tree | Creating Conditions for Success for English Learners

This is an excellent presenter with years of experience in the field. I highly encourage you to view this webinar.

solution-tree.com High achievement for English learners cannot happen until both teachers and administrators have a working knowledge of how best to teach and support them.

Ideas for teachers to take charge of their PD

smartbrief.com Educators can take control of their professional development by leveraging professional learning networks as well as online resources, educator Monica Burns writes in this blog post. Burns suggests educators connect on Twitter, join a Twitter chat, watch a webinar, access video tutorials and start a...

http://www2.ed.gov/documents/family-community/partners-education.pdf

Framework for building family-school partnerships: http://www2.ed.gov/documents/family-community/partners-education.pdf #edchat #MDESchat via @arneduncan

www2.ed.gov

Does the Common Core Stifle Our Creativity?

Does the Common Core stifle our creativity? http://www.reading.org/reading-today/classroom/post/engage/2014/03/18/does-common-core-stifle-creativity-#.U0x21Fe9ZdE #edchat #CommonCore #creativity #MDESchat

reading.org Recently, my colleague Sam Williams wrote “Is Common Core Too Challenging for Kindergarten,” which addressed the necessity for play yet the lack thereof due to the rigor of the CCSS.

A flipped journey: How PBL rescued my classroom

How PBL rescued my classroom: http://blog.iste.org/flipped-journey-pbl/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=FlipBlog&utm_campaign=NewRelease #edchat #MDESchat

blog.iste.org Flipping was supposed to make me love what I was doing again. But once I started, I realized nothing had really changed for me.

Vocabulary Expansion: The "Ize" Have It

Teaching tips: vocabulary expansion http://www.reading.org/reading-today/classroom/post/engage/2014/04/02/vocabulary-expansion#.Uz4EZVdnCJ9 #ELL #teach #education #edchat

reading.org Ours is a wondrously flexible language. Not only does it have more than a million words, with new ones added/created each day, but we don’t frown on such additions or creations. Consider by comparison Papiamento, the native tongue of Aruba. It has fewer than a thousand words. Or consider those count...

4 Ways Teachers Can Change the World

Four ways teachers can change the world: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/4-ways-start-changing-world-adam-bellow?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-4-ways-to-start-changing-the-world-jane-goodall-image #teach #education

edutopia.org Changing the world sounds like a tall order. But in reality, educators play their role to help change the world every single day. The summer is a great time to start planting seeds of change in our p

» Four Sure-Fire Math Strategies for ELLsASCD Inservice

Four sure-fire math strategies for English Language Learners: http://inservice.ascd.org/education-resources/four-sure-fire-math-strategies-for-ells/ #ELL #Teach #edchat #MDESchat #math

inservice.ascd.org My last piece for the ASCD Inservice blog, “Reach ELL Learners: Nine Best Practices That Really Work,” was a general overview of strategies that work across curriculum and grade levels to move language students toward meaningful learning. Now, let's get specific. Content-specific, that is. While bes...

Strategies to Reach Every Student, Regardless of Language Barrier

Reaching EVERY student, regardless of language barrier: http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/03/strategies-to-reach-every-student-regardless-of-language-barrier/ #ELL #edchat #MDESchat #teach #education

blogs.kqed.org Helping every student experience meaningful, deep learning is a constant challenge, in no small part because no two learners are alike. To reach students who are particularly challenged -- whether because of their ability to speak English or some other reason -- educators can find a way in by tappin...

5 Ways Literature Can Teach Global Lessons in Elementary Classes

Teach global lessons through literature: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/literature-teaches-global-lessons-elementary-becky-morales #teach #education #reading #edchat #MDESchat

edutopia.org Children's books with multicultural settings and characters can transport us on a global adventure, dispelling negative stereotypes, teaching tolerance and respect, encouraging pride in kids' cultura

Does Teaching Kids To Get 'Gritty' Help Them Get Ahead?

Does "grit" bring success? http://www.npr.org/2014/03/17/290089998/does-teaching-kids-to-get-gritty-help-them-get-ahead #teach #education #NPR #edchat #MDESchat

npr.org Education circles are abuzz with a new concept: that resilience and persistence are just as important as intelligence to predicting student success and achievement. But can "grit" actually be taught?

Live from #ASCD14: 6 steps for leading change

Six strategies to help lead change: http://smartblogs.com/social-media/events/2014/03/16/live-from-ascd14-6-steps-for-leading-change/?utm_source=brief #education #changeagent #change #edchat #mdeschat

smartblogs.com Sparking change in an organization -- classroom, school, school district, state or nation -- sometimes can feel like a Sisyphean task, rolling a heavy ston

Argument Writing: Four Reasons Why It’s Writing Priority Number One

The importance of teaching argument-writing: https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2014/03/12/argument-writing-is-priority/ #education #edchat #writing #english

teachingchannel.org Argument writing is the skill of the future. In this blog, Ryan shares four reasons to make the switch from persuasive to argument writing for grades 6-12.

» Reach ELL Learners: Nine Best Practices that Really WorkASCD Inservice

ELL best practices that really work: http://inservice.ascd.org/education-resources/reach-ell-learners-nine-best-practices-that-really-work/ #ELL #ESOL #teach #edchat #ASCD

inservice.ascd.org With the number of English Language Learners (ELLs) steadily increasing in schools each year, do you worry about how to reach them? Here’s a little good news: a specialized degree is not required. While educators commonly believe there’s a magic strategy or secret instructional practice for ELLs, re...

39 Iowa school districts chosen to launch teacher leadership systems

Iowa teachers don't work in isolation any longer: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140303/NEWS09/303030066/39-Iowa-school-districts-chosen-launch-teacher-leadership-systems?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1 #edchat #teach #education

desmoinesregister.com State officials today announced that 39 Iowa school districts have been selected as the first to launch teacher leadership systems under a statewide education reform plan approved last year by the Iowa Legislature.

Mrs. Truett's 3rd Grade: Adjectives!

Creative way to teach adjectives: http://truettthirdgrade.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/adjectives.html?utm_content=bufferffbf6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer #teach #education #edchat

truettthirdgrade.blogspot.com

Reading 2.0

Are children reading less in today's classrooms? http://www.edutopia.org/blog/reading-2.0-mary-beth-hertz?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-reading-2.0-link #education #edchat #teach #reading

edutopia.org Many educators are worried about how technology is affecting the amount of reading that students are doing. They notice that: Students are struggling to read and comprehend longer texts. Students a

Kinect for Education

Great opportunity.

We have an exciting new opportunity for 30 teachers or recent graduates from teaching colleges, with a strong interest in technology, to apply for a 12-24 months paid fellowship. The positions are contractor positions offered via a Microsoft partner, with travel expenses, equipment, and training provided for.

You will become our voice and present to K12 customers around the United States Windows 8.1, Office 365, Kinect and other awesome Microsoft technologies.

This program is US only, requires lots of local travel by car and great presentation skills.

If interested, please drop me a note at this link and I will be in touch quickly.

https://onedrive.live.com/survey?resid=3ED63123A742E9C1!3008&authkey=!AFLXbFCb_X7oOys

What Happens When Instructional Rounds Go District-Wide?

What happens when instructional rounds go district-wide: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/instructional-rounds-distrct-wide-benefits-elena-aguilar #education, #school #teach

edutopia.org Instructional Rounds are a process for school improvement that are based on the Medical Rounds model. It brings groups of educators together to look at what is happening in their schools, develop

http://view.s4.exacttarget.com/?j=fe9215797264057e7d&m=fe921570706d017e73&ls=fe2611757d66077a731475&

Creating a culture to support change in schools: http://view.s4.exacttarget.com/?j=fe9215797264057e7d&m=fe921570706d017e73&ls=fe2611757d66077a731475&l=fef111787d6603&s=fe34157171600d7d761170&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe5b17737164077a721d&r=0 #education #edchat #teach

view.s4.exacttarget.com

[02/23/14]   The future looks great for Loudoun schools!

Loudoun Embraces New Strategy To Improve More Than Test Scores

Congratulations LCPS educators!

leesburgtoday.com Three Loudoun County schools that faced state sanctions after missing the mark on standardized tests put in place a school improvement plan that did more than lay out a list of lofty goals—it translated into significant changes in how they teach.And the result has earned praise from the Virginia Dep...

Math class needs a makeover

Connections!!

ted.com Today's math curriculum is teaching students to expect -- and excel at -- paint-by-numbers classwork, robbing kids of a skill more important than solving problems: formulating them. In his talk, Dan Meyer shows classroom-tested math exercises that prompt students to stop and think. (Filmed at TEDxNY...

What Does the PISA Report Tell Us About U.S. Education?

What does the PISA Report tell us about U.S. education: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf9UVg-TdH0&feature=youtu.be

youtube.com When the OECD releases the PISA report every three years, many people use the ranking to claim public education in the U.S. is failing and push their corpora...

Lesson plans

Late-night lesson planning? Download these professional-development resources, sample lesson plans, and more for boosting student engagement and performance: http://bit.ly/1fXgi4S.

#LessonPlans #SchoolsThatWork

Yes!

Power of Planning: 5 Ways to Learn Through Writing Lesson Plans http://bit.ly/1nf7R8B

Great read!

Learn 8 engaging strategies to teach academic language to ALL learners: http://bit.ly/1aOyXdT.

#Language #Teaching