Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

David Freeman & Yvonne Freeman

A Three-Step Approach to Academic Language Development

The presenters explain a three-step approach for building academic language, indicating activities and strategies for each step. Attendees learn how to assess students’ language use, plan language objectives at different levels, and teach along a continuum that moves students from conversational to academic language.

9:40 am – 11:10am

Tim Boals & Maureen Keithley

Rebooting the Formative Assessment Process for ELLs!

Academic language development is critical in accessing and engaging with content/activities/discussions in STEM classrooms, especially for ELLs. The focus of this session is the formative assessment process of academic language. CCSS and NGSS language/concepts are included, as well as ideas for differentiating language for ELLs.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Joan Wink

Biliteracy: Our Best Bet

Biliteracy, whether it be in bilingual, mainstream, or ESL classrooms, is the focus of this interactive session. Traditional bilingual methods are adapted to fit unique classroom contexts. Participants leave with an individualized plan of best practices that enhance biliteracy for all students.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Craig Willey and Gina Yoder

Partnering With Teachers and Bilingual Students to Redefine Mathematical Engagement

This session shares lessons learned from a partnership with university faculty and elementary teachers to examine and re-construct mathematical engagement for diverse learners. Special attention is given to the voices of emerging bilingual students as we come to understand the complex ways they engage in mathematics in two languages.

Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Kate Kinsella

Developing Mastery of High-Utility Academic Vocabulary for Career and College

New national and Texas State K–12 standards and assessments focus heavily on reading, discussion, and written response to informational text. Experience explicit and interactive instruction and assessment routines that deepen student understanding of high-utility vocabulary while equipping them with competent academic discourse skills.

9:40 am – 11:10 am

Lydia Stack

Apprenticing ELs to Common Core Language and Literacy Demands

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will require the sophisticated use of language and literacy by all students. How can ELLs "apprentice" into disciplinary practices as they acquire English? In this presentation we will explore the language demands of CCSS and experience ways to develop English Learners' language and literacy expertise with complex text.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Marco Bravo & Jorge Solis

Effective Science Teaching for English Language Learners: A Sociocultural Approach

This session provides hands-on experiences attending to language blind spots (e.g., dual-meaning words, figurative language) of science for English language learners (ELLs). Instructional supports are presented that amplify science without watering it down for ELLs, as well as a tool to monitor language development in science.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Nancy Cloud

Getting Literacy Off the Ground With Adolescent ELLs

Serving secondary ELLs with limited literacy is challenging. This presentation outlines the characteristics of high-quality initial literacy programs for students learning to read and write at later ages, reviews component literacy skills to target, describes an integrated skills approach, and explores methods and materials designed for this age group.

Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Superintendent Panel

Making the Dream Real! Ensuring ELLs' Success in Public Schools

As the number of English language learners increases, there is a greater need for a systematic approach that supports their language development and academic achievement. Superintendents, representing diverse populations, address how they have implemented specific interventions that increase graduation rates and ensure student success in their districts.

9:40 am – 11:10 am

Patrick Briggs

The 12 Must Do's for ELL Students for College Readiness

Participants examine and learn the 12 MUST DO's for recruiting, retaining, and supporting ELL students (especially our young men) in rigorous courses leading to college readiness and success in a global society. The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) has an equity component focused on long-term college readiness for ELL's.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Charles Kuck

ELLs, Immigration, and Student Rights

This session examines the current immigration enforcement priorities, the effect of deportation proceedings on students, pending immigration reform, the proposed DREAM Act, available options for both documented and undocumented students, and the specific constitutional and legal rights students enjoy regardless of immigration status.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Padron, Waxman, & Franco-Fuenmayor

Alternative Value-Added Assessments for Evaluating Teachers and Improving Learning

There is growing concern about the increased emphasis on using students’ test scores for evaluating teachers. This presentation addresses the limitations of value-added assessments and illustrates how alternative methods such as classroom observations and self-assessments can be properly used to determine the effectiveness of teachers of ELLs.

Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Barbara-Jane Paris

Our Role in the Cyberbullying Frenzy

Cyberbullying is interfering with the educational process for the students we serve. In five short years, we have gone from “Not my problem— it happened off campus” to a media frenzy. Learn how cyberbullying impacts ELLs, and leave the session with a concrete plan for ensuring a safe learning environment.

9:40 am – 11:10 am

Louie Rodriguez

Struggling Forward: Toward a Praxis of Recognition in U.S. Schools

Overcrowded schools, zero-tolerance policies, and an overemphasis on test preparation have overwhelmed students in U.S. schools, particularly Latinas/os.  A Praxis of Recognition framework is presented which encourages scholars and practitioners to transform classrooms, schools, and society for social and political justice, particularly for Latina/o youth in U.S. schools.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Betty Smallwood

Improve School Climate for ELLs by Connecting With Their Families

This session provides useful information and practical strategies to increase connections, communication, and cross-cultural understanding with families of English language learners. Topics include successful school activities for families, parent–teacher conferences, and children as interpreters. Powerful stories of ELL parents and students captured in new video are integrated.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Raul Magdaleno

Inspiring Students to Learn

The presenter shares his educational journey as a Mexican immigrant who received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. Inspiring immigrant students to learn starts from a sense of value and purpose that makes learning and preparation for life possible.

Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Judy O’Loughlin & Lynore Carnuccio

Blending TESOL PreK–12 ELP Standards With CCSS for ELL success

Teachers working with English language learners must meet standards. But facing a myriad of standards, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS), meeting this need can be overwhelming. Using TESOL’s PreK–12 English Language Proficiency Standards as a guide, teachers can provide instruction that addresses each language proficiency level.

9:40 am – 11:10 am

Cindy Hunt

Fission or Fusion? Exploring Fallout of the Common Core

Participants investigate how implementation of Common Core Standards affects the instructional practice of teachers and their English learners in science and math classrooms. Using guided practice to “unpack” CSS, participants practice aligning CSS, instruction, and assessments. Best practices for ELs are used to encourage active participation.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Anita Bright

Mathematics for Everyone: Making the Common Core Work for ELLs

This interactive, manipulative-based workshop focuses on engaging ELLs in mathematics while highlighting key areas of the Common Core Standards. Participants explore the language of mathematics and practice making mathematics content visible and concrete. The ready-to-use activities and approaches can be adapted for use with students K–12.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Gisela Ernst-Slavit

Common Core, Different Texts, and ELLs:  A Focus on Academic Language

This interactive session will explore how to identify the academic language needed for students to succeed in content area classrooms. Participants will learn to recognize the language demands in math, science, language arts and social studies and formulate achievable language objectives for all students.

Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Catherine Collier

Differentiation and Intervention for Challenged and Challenging Learners

Culturally, linguistically, and learning-style diverse students can present unique challenges for any teacher, particularly when students with learning and behavior issues disrupt instruction. This session describes and immerses participants in several activities to illustrate best practices in instructional settings for learners with diverse needs.

9:40 am – 11:10 am

Francisco Valdiosera

Motivating Students Through a Focus on Identity Formation

One of the most common questions for teachers is how to motivate their English language learners. The presenter discusses various ways to engage students through historical perspectives and identity formation. By validating their historical experiences, students are motivated to become more academically, socially, and politically aware.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Francis Bailey & Ken Pransky

Becoming Learning Specialists

This practice-oriented and interactive session focuses on an understanding of how working memory and long-term memory function in the learning process. The more we become “learning specialists,” the more we can teach in ways that better serve all students, particularly struggling English learners.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Rhonda Brill

Connection for All: In a Project-Based Learning Environment

Welcome to the world of project-based learning! Through hands-on activities, participants learn how to implement project-based learning as an avenue for connecting content, communication, and culture to the community. The workshop focuses on using strategies to create a student-driven classroom that promotes student achievement.

Time

Speaker(s)

Title

Abstract

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Teemant, Tyra, Goldstein, Larr, Gossard, Rohrer, Botsford

Mainstream Teachers and Coaches Respond to ESL Instructional Coaching

Preparing every teacher to work with ELLs effectively in the regular classroom is a daunting challenge. This session highlights how district coaches and mainstream teachers respond to an ESL instructional coaching model designed for district-wide use. Presenters share the coaching model, protocols, video clips of practice, and student achievement outcomes.

9:40 am – 11:10 am

Bonnie Baer-Simahk & Patricia Aube

Co-teaching and Other Collaborative Adventures Among Teachers of ELLs

In our urban Massachusetts district, ESL teachers and general education colleagues are exploring co-teaching and other collaborative practices to improve outcomes for ELLs. Presenters review models of co-teaching and share recent co-teaching experiences, challenges and accomplishments while implementing the Common Core State Standards within the WIDA framework.

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Christy Reveles & Emily Evans Fanaeian

Coaching Teams: Transforming Educator Practices Through Inquiry, Collaboration, and Action

Team coaching can be a powerfully effective way to support professional learning teams as they engage in collaborative school-improvement initiatives. This interactive session presents a team-coaching framework that fosters reflective inquiry, collaboration, and shared responsibility for transforming classroom practices and school programming for ELLs.

2:55 pm – 4:25 pm

Mauricio Arango

Empowering EFL/ESL Learners With Awesome Communicative Activities

The presenter shares successful communicative activities and techniques used in some Colombian provincial towns where resources and technology are limited. Participants take an active part in activities that promote interaction and communication in class, increase learners’ motivation and participation, as well as foster a dynamic learning environment.