KCIS English Language Acquisition

August 20, 2019

For MYP Language Acquisition, the following are the dates for Orientation Weeks:

1. Thursday to Friday, August 29 - 30 (week 1)

2. Monday to Friday, September 2 - 6. (week 2)

During this time, we do not start teaching MYP units yet. That will start in week 3. The following activities will be helpful in getting to know your students and setting up a classroom system:

1. self-introduction by the teacher

2. ice breaker activity/lesson

3. "diagnostic" assessments for listening, reading, speaking, writing and language use

4. introduction of rules/guidelines for the class

5. classroom management expectations

6. introducing new Achieve3000 and Managebac

7. library and online library resources introduction

8. any other activities/lessons that you find would be helpful for orientation of new classes

Please contact me or Christine Lin if you need suggestions or resources.

October 19, 2018

Update of Substitution Procedures --

Tis the season for substitution! Unfortunately, most of us will fall ill at some point in the school year or have an unexpected absence that requires us to miss school. At KCIS, substitutions are handled in-house, meaning that we are all responsible for subbing for each other when the need arises. Most substitutions happen due to illness, which means that subs are informed that they will be covering someone else's classes the morning of. This inconvenience can be made a lot more manageable if the sub receives clear instructions for how the class is to proceed.

From now on, if you are requesting a sub, you will need to complete the Substitution Lesson Plan and email it to Derick before 7:30am on the day you will be absent. This ensures that your classes run smoothly in your absence and your subs have a clear expectations for what your students are meant to be doing that day.

Thank you all for your hard work and cooperation!

Tiana Sexton

September 10, 2018

Derick has shared with all of us some examples of summative assessments for Criteria A-D. Please check them out as we prepare to submit our Task-Specific Clarifications (due on ATLAS on September 21st!)

August 22, 2018

Back-to-school classroom decorations! The following links are FREE downloads from TeachersPayTeachers, an excellent website that offers both paid and free resources. If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one before downloading. Print in color with the help of Xavi in the Printing Center on the 2nd floor :)

Global Context Posters

Just the names: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IB-MYP-Global-Context-Bulletin-Board-Posters-2659703

With explanations: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Global-Context-Posters-with-description-International-Baccalaureate-PYP-MYP-DP-1428970

IB Learner Profile Posters

All listed on one poster: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IB-MYP-Learner-Profile-Attributes-Name-Poster-3126242

Individual posters: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IB-MYP-Learner-Profile-3625965

Command Terms for Language Acquisition

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MYP-command-terms-for-Language-Acquisition-2658409

August 13, 2018

Welcome to the beta version of our KCIS English Language Acquisition website! The goal of this site is to provide all English LA teachers with a one-stop shop for all LA-related needs. Almost all of these resources can be found on the faculty site, Google Drive, or IB website, but compiling everything into our page eliminates the need to dig through websites to find what you need.

This website is nowhere near completion. Derick and I are still updating each section as we go so please use it as a jumping-off point as you work on your SGOs and your first few unit plans but please check back periodically for new information and updates.

Can't find what you were looking for? Let me know! I'll add it. tianasexton@kcis.com.tw

Tiana Sexton, Subject Group Coordinator (SGC) for English Language Acquisition

June 22, 2018

Adoption of the WIDA English Language Development Standards (What is WIDA?)

As we implement the MYP and become familiar with its components, we recognize that it is a framework for learning and it does not prescribe a curriculum.

In previous years, the English department at Kang Chiao has used the California Common Core standards as the basis for our curriculum planning. With the adoption of MYP and the introduction of English Language Acquisition, it became clear to the implementation team and curriculum coordinator that our current standards did not fit the learning objectives of our Language Acquisition courses.

The WIDA English Development Standards are designed for students learning English in an international setting. They are grounded in Common Core but are more suited to the cultural context of Kang Chiao and take into consideration the fact that many of our students do not live in an English-speaking environment outside of school. The WIDA ELDs are also aligned with the inquiry-based learning aims of the International Baccalaureate, which ensures a strong connection between curriculum standards and MYP requirements.

I strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the WIDA English Language Development Standards in preparation for the upcoming school year. Please find some of the most useful resources below:

• The WIDA English Language Development Standards and Resource Guide, International Edition
• Understanding the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards
• The English Language Learner Can Do Booklet, Grades 9-12
• The English Language Learner Can Do Booklet, Grades 6-8
• Exploring How Language Development Standards Can Work with IB Content Statements for ELL Development

Tiana Sexton, Subject Group Coordinator (SGC) for English Language Acquisition