Talya Edlund, contributive writer for Edutopia, regards classroom libraries as crucial in cultivating student interest in reading. But a classroom library is not enough – educators must make careful, purposeful choices of the books found in their libraries. Edlund advocates for book choices that are reflective of students’ cultures, histories, families, and experiences, as many … Continue reading 5 Thoughtful Ways to Create a Classroom Library
Month: November 2018
Dual Language Students are Changing the National Narrative
Journalist Conor P. Williams discusses how school districts are utilizing advantages English Language Learners (ELLs) bring to the classroom a recent Edutopia article. As the article explains, many U.S. school districts have been “scrambling for ways to meet the needs of ELLs,” since this population totals “nearly 5 million U.S. students—an increase of over 1 million since … Continue reading Dual Language Students are Changing the National Narrative
A Call for ELL Students to Access STEM Classes
Corey Mitchell, a contributing writer for EducationWeek, has published an article about the findings from a recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report. The report from the National Academies reveals that under-resourced schools and underprepared educators “limit English-learners’ access to high-quality and challenging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational opportunities.” This research report … Continue reading A Call for ELL Students to Access STEM Classes
Tips for Teachers: Numeracy and the Bilingual Classroom
ColorínColorado has a resource page dedicated to “Instructional Strategies for Dually-Identified Students,” written and researched by Dr. Diane Torres-Velasquez of the University of New Mexico and Dr. Diane Rodriguez of Fordham University. This page includes articles, videos, and recommended resources for educators looking to effectively modify instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) with “identified disabilities.” … Continue reading Tips for Teachers: Numeracy and the Bilingual Classroom
Three Tips for In-Class Assessments
Andrew Miller, a contributing writer for Edutopia, has recently published an article on assessment in the classroom. He suggests that informal “interviews or chats” with our students are more effective in assessment than formalized tests. Assessment can be scary. Miller suggests that “the word assessment carries a lot of baggage and can cause anxiety in both … Continue reading Three Tips for In-Class Assessments
“Learning How to Speak with My Ancestors”: A Story of Finding Identity Through Language
Learning our heritage language allows us access to our ancestral roots, so believes Alisha Drabek, a woman who recently learned her native language of Alutiiq. Published by Sierra Club National Magazine, in a compelling piece titled “Learning How to Speak with My Ancestors,” Drabek divulges her personal history (and struggle) with her native language and … Continue reading “Learning How to Speak with My Ancestors”: A Story of Finding Identity Through Language
La Cosecha 2018: Updates from the Field
During this past week, La Cosecha, a dual language conference located in New Mexico, celebrated its 23rd year with over 3,000 people gathering to exchange ideas on dual language education. Several TWIN-CS members attended the conference, including Principal Leticia Oseguera and mentor Susanne Peña (see her blog post here). Olivia Harlow, writer for local newspaper … Continue reading La Cosecha 2018: Updates from the Field
Learning from Other Educators: First Japanese-English Dual Language Program in NYC
A result of concerned parents who were eager to see “dual language education in languages other than the French and Spanish programs” in the Brooklyn area, New York City’s Public School 147 (PS 147) is now an English-Japanese dual language school. According to the article by DualLanguageSchools.org, the Williamsburg Dual Language Program began in 2014 … Continue reading Learning from Other Educators: First Japanese-English Dual Language Program in NYC
Research Findings from Study of English Language Learners with Reading Struggles
A recent publication from Usable Knowledge, an online journal published by Harvard University Graduate School of Education, examines possible reading challenges (ELLs) experience. Penned by staff writer Grace Tatter, the article delves into common educational gaps that negatively affect educational experiences for ELLs. Educators may not know exactly why ELLs are struggling with reading. Teachers … Continue reading Research Findings from Study of English Language Learners with Reading Struggles
Comida Y Consejos: A New Web Series about Language, Food, and Culture
DualLanguageSchools.org is a resource for dual language educators and parents of children in dual language schools. As of late, the organization has begun to add to its webpage in the form of a YouTube series. Titled Comida Y Consejos, this series introduces four dual language advocates who share their experiences as dual language teachers, marketing … Continue reading Comida Y Consejos: A New Web Series about Language, Food, and Culture