7 Steps to a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom  (All Grade Levels)           (5 hour session)

What if you could design an amazing learning environment? We already have, and it's all contained in 7steps! 7 Steps to Building a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom provides a seven step process that creates a language-rich interactive classroom environment in which all students can thrive. Topics include differentiating instruction for students at a variety of language proficiencies, keeping all students absolutely engaged, and creating powerful learning supports. 

This will be a 5-hour session presented by Carol Salva from Seidlitz Education. 

A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words: Supporting Emergent Bilinguals with Visuals in K-12 Social Studies 3.0 (3 hour session) (All Grade Levels) 

Visuals? We all love visuals. But have you considered the power of using visuals to support Emergent Bilinguals to build vocabulary and develop language? Students can construct knowledge by learning to “read” images. Experience strategies to help students interact with visuals in meaningful ways. Learn how to incorporate visuals to create powerful, engaging

student-centered learning experiences. After all, a picture is worth 1000 words! 

This will be a 3-hour session presented by S3 Strategies. 

Activating Prior Knowledge among Newcomer and Emergent Bilingual Students through Language, Culture, and Identity (3 hour session) (Secondary) 

Students can activate prior knowledge when they feel valued, respected, and included in the learning process. The purpose of this presentation is to share student experiences, pragmatic curriculum, and insightful strategies to support Newcomer and Emergent Bilingual students in the Elementary classroom. Student’s native language, cultural backgrounds and personal identities are amplified as catalysts for English Language acquisition. We will focus on student’s personal stories and lived experiences from an asset-based perspective to emphasize the role of academic writing. We will dive into a dynamic dialogue regarding student’s cultural

backgrounds and amplify culture as a key element for overall academic success. In sum, Newcomer and Emergent Bilingual students hold the potential to succeed in life by embracing their language, culture and identity.

This will be a 3-hour session presented by Dr. Jose Zelaya, CEO at Dr. Zelaya Educational Consulting

Assessment and Instruction for Emergent Bilingual Students at-risk for Dyslexia (Secondary) 

Rising enrollment of emergent bilingual (EB) students has sparked concerns about representation and access in special programs, including intervention programs for dyslexia. Building on research emerging from two national research centers focused on improving outcomes for EBs at-risk for dyslexia, this session: (1) systematically reviews research on dyslexia among EBs to summarize what is known and open questions; (2) synthesizes recommendations for instruction and intervention for EB

students, particularly those with significant risk for dyslexia; and (3) considers additional questions related to the reading and language needs of diverse EBs, including newcomers and EBs with interrupted formal educations.

Crash Course in the World of Refugees, Immigrants and New Arrivals (3 hour session) (Secondary) 

Many teachers are new to working with English learners or have recently been assigned to work with them and have limited knowledge about the unique background and needs of these students. Understanding “the why” behind behaviors, actions and needs of EB students has a direct impact on the effectiveness of instruction. This “Crash Course” will give you insight into creating better connections, more effective lessons and ways to support.

This will be a 3-hour session presented by Pamela Broussard from Leading ELLS. 

Top 5 Scaffolds to Support Beginner/Intermediate Emergent Bilingual Students (Secondary) 

What do you do to make content comprehensible for newcomers?  In this hands-on session you will participate in five key strategies that will make learning fun, engaging and successful for your beginner and intermediate emergent bilingual students.

Centering Newcomers in our Literacy Lessons (Secondary) 

Newcomers who need to develop English proficiency require instruction that addresses the simultaneous development of English proficiency and grade-level concepts and skills. So, how do we do this? We do this and MORE by offering high-quality methods and practices centered on their unique strengths supporting their development in ways that enable them to reach their full potential. In this session, we’ll analyze high-quality methods and practices that will make our newcomers soar in our literacy lessons.  

How to Enhance Academic Language Proficiency for LTELLs Across all Contents (Secondary) 

The United States has a growing population of Emergent Bilingual students that are categorized as Long-term English Learners (LTELLs). Most define this population as students who have been unable to meet the reclassification criteria in their school’s EB program for over six years. The growing number of LTELLs is a cause for concern around the country because some research has even shown that around 50% of these students were born in the country but have not been able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. While there is not much research that focuses on the population, it is important to continue to work on finding ways to best support this subset of students. This session will focus on strategies that support students in moving beyond social language production in order to enhance their academic language proficiency. 

Writing Instructional Approaches for EB Learners (Secondary) 

The purpose of this session is to explore different instructional approaches for teaching writing to varying levels of emergent bilingual students using Ellevation strategies. The various approaches embody the best instructional practices for promoting social interaction and cultural awareness. In order to increase academic achievement in writing for secondary emergent bilingual students, educational leaders should have practical knowledge about content delivery with language scaffolds and embed cultural awareness activities in writing to reflect the diverse school environment. Therefore, this session will provide a foundation for teachers of emergent bilingual students to foster and increase writing proficiency levels through linguistically accommodated academic writing instruction.

Active Learning Strategies in Social Studies 2.0 (All Grade Levels) 

Want to increase engagement in your classroom? Discover easily implemented strategies to support active learning, encourage critical thinking and empower students to take ownership of their learning. Participate in student-centered learning experiences and leave with a variety of techniques to better meet the needs of all students, especially your EB students. Come have FUN and be ACTIVELY ENGAGED!!   

This is a 3-hour session Presented by S3 Strategies.

Crash Course in the World of Refugees, Immigrants and New Arrivals (Secondary) 

Many teachers are new to working with English learners or have recently been assigned to work with them and have limited knowledge about the unique background and needs of these students. Understanding “the why” behind behaviors, actions and needs of EB students has a direct impact on the effectiveness of instruction. This “Crash Course” will give you insight into creating better connections, more effective lessons and ways to support.

This will be a 3-hour session presented by Pamela Broussard from Leading ELLS. 

Differentiating the 5E's for EBs  (Secondary) 

We learn in many different ways and through many different modalities and sources. Teachers have always been aware of these learning differences and have tried to accommodate and individualize learning to fit students’ needs. At times, this task of differentiating can feel overwhelming and insurmountable in terms of how to address each child’s need separately or mistakenly through defined learning styles. Come and Learn how to tweak your lessons for more student ownership in the 5E's for Emergent Bilinguals. 

Making Content Comprehensible Along the Reading Journey: Go to Strategies for Scaffolding Complex Texts (Secondary) 

Placing on-grade level, complex text in front of an Emergent Bilingual student can seem like a daunting task, but we know that when students only read what is simple they are prevented from accessing the vocabulary and complex text structures they need to progress along the language proficiency continuum. This session is designed to be used as a toolkit of Go-To scaffolding strategies teachers can utilize when immersing students with grade level text wherever they are in their literacy journey. The strategies were selected as the focus of this presentation because of their usefulness in helping teachers scaffold content and language in the process of learning a new language. The information presented in this session was adapted from Project EXCELL (Exceptional Collaboration for English Language Learning).

Raising the Bar: Teaching EBs with Depth and Complexity Part A - (Secondary)  3 Hours of GT Credit

Who is the gifted multilingual learner? What are the characteristics of gifted multilingual children? This session will emphasize classroom instruction that encourages multilingual learners to exhibit in-depth, complex thinking while also increasing their achievement and proficiency in English. Participants will explore ways to combine the thinking model of Depth and Complexity with Sheltered Instruction in classroom instruction. Examples of activities that structure classroom interaction for multilingual learners to use academic vocabulary will be provided. These activities provide students opportunities to listen, speak, read, and write while at the same time thinking in in-depth, complex ways. 

This will be a 3-hour session present by Marcy Voss from Seidlitz Education

Using Ellevation to Enhance Small Group Instruction (Secondary) 

Small group instruction can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. The benefits of effective small group instruction can be powerful in addressing the individual needs and maximizing student engagement.  Participants will experience using Ellevation to scaffold and support small group instruction and facilitate peer-to-peer group collaboration while building and acquiring academic language.

Top 5 Scaffolds to Support Beginner/Intermediate Emergent Bilingual Students (Secondary) 

What do you do to make content comprehensible for newcomers?  In this hands-on session you will participate in five key strategies that will make learning fun, engaging and successful for your beginner and intermediate emergent bilingual students.

The Connection Between the Stages of Language Acquisition and Culture Shock (Secondary) 

The focus of this presentation is to walk through the stages of language acquisition and the stages of culture shock to find the connection between both. How can we be culturally responsive and lower the affective filter in order for students to progress linguistically? Classroom strategies will be presented that address students academic needs while creating a safe and welcoming learning environment. Reference information will be taken from Pathways to Greatness for ELL Newcomers by Michelle L. Yzquierdo.