CISD ESL/BIL NeWSLETTER

IMPORTANT DATES

February: Communicate with your CTC and ESL facilitator for TELPAS basic training and calibration dates.

#CISDLEARNS FEB 15 Sessions offered by ESL FACILITATORS

Using Data to Drive Instruction for ELs in the Secondary Classroom: Shauna Carter, Colleen Cobb, Colleen Friskey, Jessica Lynch

"Say What?"...Do your English Learners Understand You? : Timothy Watson, Laura Bird, Tara Sowels, Angela Marshall

Using Data to Drive Instruction for Els in the Elementary Classroom: Lisa Hansen, Roxann Krautkramer, Claudia Rios, Ana Vizcaya, Emily Williams

EL Digital Toolbox: Narda Holguin, Sarahi Beasley, Jennifer Hubble

February

Newsletter

6 Steps to Knowing your Els

When we think about getting to know our EL's we may automatically jump to language proficiency and how to serve their language acquisition needs. Even though this is important for their academic success, we have found that getting to know them in a personal level is just as beneficial. ¡ColorÍn Colorado! has a section dedicated to getting to know your EL's in 6 steps. Here are the steps and a brief summary of each.

6 Steps

    1. Become educated about your English Learners' backgrounds, such as:
        • Previous schooling
        • Socio-economic status
    2. If they are immigrants, see if they are comfortable talking about why their family chose to make America their new home.
    3. Ask about potential stressors that might impact their schooling, such as:
        • Working in the evening
        • Taking care of siblings after school
    4. Ask them if they speak another language.
    5. Research their school history, such as:
        • Interrupted schooling
        • Participation in special programs
    6. Get to know your students' academic and extracurricular interests.

Follow the link to the full article and more ways to support EL's in the mainstream classroom.

ELLEVATION

Support writing in all the content areas.

Good writers are frequently good readers, and it’s critically important for English learners to develop grade-level literacy skills. The best way to do this is to integrate more quick, yet structured writing opportunities into every content area, every day. Get some concrete ideas and graphic organizers with these activities in Ellevation Strategies!


ways to support Els in the classroom

Chat Stations for Class Discussion

by Jennifer Gonzalez @cultofpedagogy

Your new favorite teaching strategy: This pared-down version of learning stations keeps the movement, interactivity and variety while minimizing the prep work.


Chat Stations provide language practice in the areas of writing, listening, and speaking.

Follow your ESL Facilitator


Cottonwood Creek Elementary: Roxann Krautkramer: @RoxyKKESL Middle School North: Colleen Cobb: @ClassroomCobb
Lee Elementary: Claudia Rios: @netzeroRios Middle School West: Colleen Friskey: @friskeyc
Austin Elementary: Ana Vizcaya Vazquez: @MrsVizcaya Middle School East: Laura Bird: @mrsbird710
Town Center Elementary: Tara Sowels: @PDbyTTT CHS 9th Grade Campus: Jessica Lynch : @Jalynch01
Mockingbird Elementary: Emily Williams: @ThatMrsWilliams CHS & New Tech: Shauna Carter: @ShaunaCarterESL ‏ Lakeside Elementary: Lisa Hansen: @LisaHansen_
Wilson Elementary: Jennifer Hubble: @jhub257
Denton Creek Elementary: Sarahi Beasly: @SaraBeasESL
Valley Ranch Elementary: Angela Marshall: @amarshallesl
Pinkerton Elementary Narda Holguin: @PinkySpanish1