2024-2025 Events for Utah DLI German Teachers

December 4-7, 2024: Salt Lake City Christkindlmarkt

January 21, 2025: German Bridge Spring Professional Development @ Clearfield High School Library

January 22, 2025: Elementary German DLI Professional Development

@ USBE Basement West Room. 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM; mandatory for German DLI teachers; MIDAS registration is forthcoming

January 23, 2025: Secondary German DLI Professional Development

@ USBE Basement West Room. 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM; mandatory for German DLI teachers; MIDAS registration is forthcoming

January 23-25, 2025: SWCOLT Conference @ Gila River Resort & Casino at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, AZ

February 21, 2025: Utah Foreign Language Association (UFLA) Conference @ Utah Tech University in St. George

Utah Immersion Vorlesetag 2024

We celebrated the Deutscher Vorlesetag (German National Read to Me Day) on November 15, 2024.  Summit Academy Independence and West Elementary participated in the event.  Summit Academy Independence welcomed the Swiss Honorary Consul, Mr. Daniel Oswald, Utah DLI German Director, Ms. Shauna Winegar, and the German Language Advisor for the Northwest, Mrs. Gabriele Maiss-Minkler (virtually), to the school to read engaging stories in grades 1-6. West Elementary welcomed the Utah DLI German Coordinator, Mrs. Michaela Claus-Nix, and the German Language Advisor for the Northwest, Mrs. Gabriele Maiss-Minkler (virtually) to share moving stories and engage with the German immersion students. Here are some great pictures from the event.

UVU 2024 German Day

Many of our DLI and German Bridge high school students from Tooele High School participated in the UVU German Day celebration on November 7, 2024. The THS students built a replica of the Berlin Wall and learned about the separation of Berlin, the Berlin Wall, and life in the former East Germany. Learning about history became alive at UVU. Thanks to Dr. Packer for organizing this annual event and learning experience for our students.

Utah DLI Core Instructional Strategies

Do you remember the 6 core instructional strategies from your AUDII training? Can you name them from the top of your head? We will highlight one core strategy each month until the end of this school year to refresh our memory. This month, we are moving to the second core strategy: Comprehensible Input!

Core Strategy # 2: Comprehensible Input

To facilitate language acquisition in dual language programs, it is crucial that students receive language input at just the right level of complexity—comprehensible, yet challenging. The most successful dual language instructional strategies make language input meaningful and accessible, paired with opportunities for students to practice oral language skills through structured conversations and frequent OTRs.

Utah RISE Blueprint for Mathematics & Science

As you plan for your math lessons, be strategic and deliberate in the questions you engage with your class. On average only 30% of RISE items will be DOK 1 with the remaining 70% of items being DOK 2 or DOK3. This is a good average to compare how much time in your lessons is spent engaging in DOK 2 and DOK 3 questions.

LINK to Utah RISE Mathematics Blueprint

Articles Worth Reading

Parent-teacher conference time can be a stressful time. This article shares some great tips on how to reduce stress during conference days and make conferences more effective. Click here to read the full article.

In my experience, you cannot overemphasize the use of document cameras.  Modeling is a core strategy in DLI and the document camera allows us to do so comfortably and regularly. Here is a great article on this tried and true tool. 

The AI revolution is here. There are so many tools out there now it might seem overwhelming to sift through them all. Here is a great article on effective uses of AI in the elementary classroom.

Journaling as a reflective practice in Science classes, can be an ideal tool in DLI. It focuses on content and language practice while providing feedback to the teacher on understood and misunderstood concepts. This great article explains how to use journaling in Science classes. Click here to read the article.

The interactive read aloud is a versatile power tool: it enhances oral language production, practices listening comprehension, fosters reading strategies, and carries content knowledge in Science, Social Studies, and Math. In the target language, it opens the door to cultural knowledge and understanding.  Read alouds also benefit social-emotional learning. Here is a great article on how to use read alouds to help students develop self-regulation.

Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids

Click here to learn more about the event from the Utah Film Center. 

Kids Film Competition

Wouldn't it be nice if we had some DLI entries? Click here to learn more about the competition.

Lernmaterialien

Lernmaterialien vom PASCH-Netzwerk

Alle PASCH Materialien im Überblick gibt es hier. Man kann es nach Themenbereich oder Sprachniveau filtern. Eine wunderbare Ressource, wenn man auf der Jagd nach authentischem Material ist.

Here is a creative way to encourage your students to work on their writing skills by helping out German author Leo. Click here to access the A1-B1 material.

Here are great audio/video files of teenagers talking about algorythms and how they shape our perception. This is aimed at the B2 proficiency level. Click here to access the material.

AATG National German Exam Registration

Click here if you are interested in having your students participate.

Grants and Scholarships

Language Connects Foundation Micro-Grants

LCF/Vista Classroom Microgrants for Language Educators

The LCF/Vista Microgrants Program for Language Educators is an initiative aimed at supporting and empowering those who are dedicated to promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity in the classroom. This program provides small grants to K-12 educators who are passionate about teaching languages and incorporating cultural elements into their lessons.

This program is open to all K-12 language educators regardless of setting. Eligible individuals may apply for grants of $300 to fund a variety of projects, including:

• Organizing cultural events or activities for their learners, including those in collaboration with relevant community organizations; and

• Creating projects that support diverse perspectives and provide opportunities to develop cultural competence.

100 microgrants of $300 each will be awarded between September 2024 and May 2025. Click here to apply.

AATG Travel Grants

Click here to find the application for the AATG conference travel grants.

Would You and Your Students Like to Be Featured in the January Newsletter?

Send pictures and blurbs to Michaela at mclaus-nix@utahdli.org by December 31, 2024.

Please share your hard work and the accomplishments of your students so that we can celebrate you!

Contact:

Michaela Claus-Nix, Ed.S.

German DLI Coordinator

Utah State Board of Education

mclaus-nix@utahdli.org