#dojochat Archive
ClassDojo's official educational chat that covers a variety of subjects, focusing mainly on improving classroom community.
Wednesday May 18, 2016 
  7:00 PM EDT
 
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Hey y'all! Stephanie, 4th gr. teacher from TN! 
 
 
 
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good morning! rizza k-3 physed T from Philippines 
 
 
 
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 hey Steph! How's it going? Are we the only ones on  tonight? lol! Where are all our peeps?
 
 
 
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Hey! Lorie, 7/8 grade teacher from MI 
 
 
 
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 Ha! I'm sure everyone just has stiff fingers :-) 
 
 
 
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 hey! Welcome! So happy ur here - from the Phillippines! Wow! 
 
 
 
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Hey  :) I'm so happy to be your moderator tonight! Monica - Bilingual Educator, former tech teacher now ESL Coordinator in NYC.
 
 
 
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 hahaha! That and the end of the year thing, right? lol! 
 
 
 
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 Hey Lori! Glad you could join us tonight for  :)
 
 
 
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Theresa from TX. Bilingual Ed teacher 2nd gr  
 
 
 
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 hey Theresa! So happy to have a fellow Bilingual Ed teacher here tonight for  :)
 
 
 
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Thanks for joining  everyone!! Looking forward to a great discussion :D
 
 
 
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Jenn from MI, 8th grade teacher! 
 
 
 
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 hey hey hey! How are you Jenna? 
 
 
 
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Hey ! I was wondering if you were back yet! 
 
 
 
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Ben from NC.  Pre Service Teacher trying to get some insight and pointers. 
 
 
 
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 Good, thanks!! How are you? Excited about the topic tonight :) 
 
 
 
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 Hi Jenn! Glad you're here for  tonight :)
 
 
 
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 OMG! I bet. I love Mexico! So much fun :D :D 
 
 
 
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 yay! I'm doing well. Waiting for Friday... Yes, I'm looking forward to tonight's  discussion too! ;D
 
 
 
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 wow! Flooding and damage - sad! HOT... send some heat this way please. NYC feels like fall :( 
 
 
 
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A1: Yes, I teach BIL Ed to native Spanish speakers.  
 
 
 
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A1: Most of my Ss have been native Spanish speakers, most recently as ESL Crdntr I've encountered EVERYTHING - NYC is so diverse! 
 
 
 
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A1 I currently have 13 out of 23 Ss that speak Spanish at home. I've had a few Egyptian, Lao, & Kurdish Ss as well. 
 
 
 
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 do you speak Korean? Or is that one of your challenges in engaging parents? 
 
 
 
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A1: I have students who speak Spanish, Kurdish, Sudanese, and Mandarin. 
 
 
 
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A1: I have Spanish Ss and have had many, like Arabic and Swahili 
 
 
 
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Do your students' parents speak another language? Join us for  now as we discuss the best ways to communicate!
 
 
 
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 have you ever taught students of another language? How about other teachers in your school? 
 
 
 
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Be on the look out for Q2 - Here in one minute! 
 
 
 
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 when i talk to parents i have their child with me to translate how challenging could that be 
 
 
 
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 Fancy seeing you here at  for  :)
 
 
 
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Hi all !  Great to join you ! 
 
 
 
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 Excited to not be the only one!  
 
 
 
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A2 Definitely the language barrier. 
 
 
 
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 welcome! Glad you could join us for  - Please share where ur joining from :)
 
 
 
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 Marjorie, school social worker, for K-5th grade students.
 
 
 
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A2 how to make them understand things thats happening in school 
 
 
 
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A2: Besides communicating in their language - understanding where they're coming from, culture, educational expectations, etc. 
 
 
 
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 tough right? Like you never know if they are actually translating what you are saying. I always wonder myself 
 
 
 
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A2: Communicating with parents when the family & I do not speak the same language, especially when their child is struggling, too 
 
 
 
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  Me, too! Esp. if they are in trouble! lol 
 
 
 
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 absolutely lots of hand gestures and drawings hoping it gets to them 
 
 
 
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 hi Glenn! Welcome to . Share with us where your joining from and your ed role :)
 
 
 
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 Yes! And SO. Many. Pictures! 
 
 
 
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 I'm from Poland ! I'm new to teaching. Just started with my first group few months ago!
 
 
 
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 yes! My hands are all over the place, lots of pics too! 
 
 
 
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 Exciting!!! Are you enjoying it! 
 
 
 
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 HS science teacher from Michigan 
 
 
 
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 awesome! I wish I could say I love sciene. Hehehe! Glad you could make it to 
 
 
 
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Q3 is coming right up! Are you ready? 
 
 
 
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 wow! congratulations and welcome to the wonderdul world of teaching 
 
 
 
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A2: The challenge is getting them to participate in school because they feel inadequate with their English skills.  
 
 
 
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 I'm sure those Ts struggle with the communication. Do they turn to u to communicate with Spanish Ps? 
 
 
 
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  Yeah! Actually I teach older students. I see their problems so I started to work on  solutions for youngsters.
 
 
 
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A3: I have used translators and siblings...not always effective though! 
 
 
 
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 that is always a challenge. I have found that it helps when you connect them with other Ps that speak the language. 
 
 
 
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 It's all about chemistry lol 
 
 
 
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A3 S/T Translators, pictures, hand gestures (watch out!), Google Translate (lifesaver) :D 
 
 
 
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A3: I've used their children or family members, google translate, and even pictures at times.  
 
 
 
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 oh chemistry! I failed that class! My kid loves science though, so I am exited about that! ;) 
 
 
 
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A3: Ts & Ps that speak language to translate, telephone interpreter service, asking Ss to do it too, & lots of hand gestures ;) 
 
 
 
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A3 handwritten letters and personal meetings 
 
 
 
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 I can relate! I spend lots of time translating letters and such. 
 
 
 
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A3 But I must say  translate is my #1 strategy for constant communication with Ps ;) 
 
 
 
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 thats true i've used their child as well to translate or another friend of their sometimes their tutors 
 
 
 
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100% Agreed!   https://t.co/04ki1f7HJE
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A3 But I must say  translate is my #1 strategy for constant communication with Ps ;) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 that's awesome! It's great to start them young! Makes such a difference. Big STEM supporter here :) 
 
 
 
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A3: If I'm helping out at school other than my students, I utilize other parent speakers of their language to help translate.   
 
 
 
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Q4 will be here in just a minute! 
 
 
 
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 it's such a life saver! Parents love it! They were so happy when I introduced them to the magic of  
 
 
 
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 yes! He's all signed up for STEM summer camp :) 
 
 
 
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  Yes! It's not always completely accurate, but def. enough to get the message across! 
 
 
 
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Let's start thinking about how we engage families as partners in their child's education. Find Q4 below  https://t.co/uhZbvhRqh4
 
 
 
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I had a family who spoke Farsi and I used Google Translate one time.  However, this source is not always reliable.
 
 
 
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gestures are the best ! :) 
 
 
 
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  yes, this is true but I love that it's something I don't have to translate 4 them and keeps them connected 
 
 
 
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A4 Def. using  messaging is the best! They can view translation & still be a part of the class community. 
 
 
 
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So new to  so I am just learning the basics and this is helping! 
 
 
 
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A4: Build relationship regardless language barrier - show interest, praise, be helpful, invite on trips & have them teach me words 
 
 
 
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  Showing parents that I'm trying has been the #1 factor to success. Many times Ps "feel out of place." Any bit helps.
 
 
 
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 it is tough with Google translate! I've found same problem. Luck my school uses a phone translating service.That helps 
 
 
 
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A4: 1st I learn how to say Hello and Welcome in their native language. When parents see your effort they'll be more comfortable.  
 
 
 
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  that's fantastic! That's what we're here for so reach out if you need help with any of it :) 
 
 
 
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 It's amazing!  has changed my life - literally!   https://t.co/JQ0DY8XBBQ
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So new to  so I am just learning the basics and this is helping! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 YES! I believe that too! The effort you put in, the care, interest, that's how you reel them in :) regardless of lang 
 
 
 
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   I will definitely remember that! 
 
 
 
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A4:A resource is a great way to teach parents of their available resources & to help them acculturate to their new environment 
 
 
 
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 yes! They feel welcomed! We have morning mtgs w/ Ss & they teach class greetings in their lang. Then I use them w/P ;) 
 
 
 
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A4 this sch yrim going to use  in my class to show parents i want them to be connected in our class 
 
 
 
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A5 I LOVE having the kids teach me how to say all kinds of things in their language. They laugh at me, but it's fun! 
 
 
 
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  it makes a huge difference when parents feel connected! The kids love it too. 
 
 
 
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A5: Int'l nite is HUGE! Food & FUN! Morning mtgs are great 4 kids 2 share. We learn 2 say hello in different language, songs+ more 
 
 
 
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A5 at the start of the sch year we hav a meet and greet activity to try and build rel then we use letters keep it going 
 
 
 
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A5: cont'd - Important for ALL 2 feel valued & heard even when don't understand their language! Ask what do Ps need, want, expect? 
 
 
 
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 we have one through NYC Deptof Ed. It's used citywide. The city hires the translators. Also avail for PTC. Its great! 
 
 
 
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A1: I have. I can tell based on their quiz answers, they didn't understand what was being asked. I want all my students to learn 
 
 
 
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A5: One strategy I'd use is to watch how Sts treat each other. They are the greatest equalizers when it comes to bridging.  cont...
 
 
 
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 Q5  it's as easy as "wait, what would that be in Spanish? Metáfora? that's awesome!" tiny moves make the difference.
 
 
 
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A5: At a prior school we did World Party and had classes represent Ss home countries 
 
 
 
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A5: ...cont. Sts welcome each other because they have no working biases about differences.  
 
 
 
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Q6 is almost here! Be on the look out 
 
 
 
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A5: Allowing students to share experiences is always awesome! 
 
 
 
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A5: Maybe we should focus on someone from other planet? Ex. a Toy and focus on his culture? Everyone would be equal 
 
 
 
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 that's fun when they get to learn about different cultures and languages. Helps bridge that gap! 
 
 
 
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A6 Our Title 1 dept is great at organizing after school activities spec. for ESL parents. 
 
 
 
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A6: Connect them with other Ps that speak same lang. Invite on trips & to help w/ other activities don't req lang. ex: field day 
 
 
 
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 that's a great idea! Maybe even role play, how would that toy feel on a new planet, in a new environment, new lang. 
 
 
 
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 that's great! We have a parent coordinator that does workshops for Ps. I do a few too - for Spanish parents. It helps! 
 
 
 
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W6: Perhaps have PTO liaisons who represent diff. langs. to serve as a welcoming committee to show them the ropes.  
 
 
 
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A6 - Make sure that you do school activities that celebrate their culture! 
 
 
 
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 that's fantastic! It makes such a difference when they have a bit of guidance. Things we take for granted 
 
 
 
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 YES! We have Hispanic Heritage Night & Int'l Night - get the biggest turnout of Ps + they bring food ;D 
 
 
 
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 yes! I am working on a Toy Robot from other planet with storytelling game! It might help! Check it out:  
 
 
 
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In just one min Q7 will be our question but don't just respond and run... Share ideas & ask questions. How can we support you? 
 
 
 
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Our last question is here! Find Q7 here  - but don't respond and run. Share ideas and how can we support u https://t.co/yYazCpRTIa
 
 
 
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 at my school we also have student ambassadors. 5th graders that welcome parents and new students of the same language 
 
 
 
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thank you so much  what an awesome ideas to try this sch yr  need to go! have a great evening everyone!
 
 
 
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A7: Offer resources, websites, translated class newsletter (that Ss help write & translate), reading no matter in what language 
 
 
 
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 great to hear! Thanks for joining us tonight and hope to see you for  next time :) Have a great night!
 
 
 
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A7 I like to suggest iPad apps that will help facilitate learning at home when Ps can't always help or understand. 
 
 
 
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A7: But my number one tip has to be conversation! Encourage kids and parents to talk after school about their day. Ss teach Ps :) 
 
 
 
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What do you mean by celebrating their culture? Not that I don't know, just wondering your opinion. 
 
 
 
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 my previous students are ambassadors, showcasing their bilingual skills Plus they <3 to visit!   https://t.co/tGuF1tSOqh
 
 
 
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  Great idea!  I will suggest that at my school for next yr. Thank you.
 
 
 
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  Agreed!  That's the key to understanding one another.
 
 
 
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Thanks for all the great thoughts! Can't wait to keep learning 
 
 
 
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  it's great to get the kids involved and they love the attention + practice communication skills :) 
 
 
 
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Meetings ran l8 tonite & sad that I missed  tonight. Goin' thru the feed & gr8 ideas all around
 
 
 
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What does the ESL population at your school look like? 
 
 
 
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 and just opportunities to connect to what's happening in the classroom - kids want to share but if you don't ask... 
 
 
 
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Greetings from Photon ! You all are doing a great work! Good luck with your work and challenges ! Cheers!  https://t.co/w4bPFe7GuQ
 
 
 
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  A majority of Spanish and Asian languages.
 
 
 
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 thanks for popping in! Hope you find some useful ideas here  :)
 
 
 
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 a diverse mix but mostly Spanish. We don't have self-contained bilingual ed kids are in monolingual w/ESL support 
 
 
 
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Huge thank you to  for moderating  tonight!! Fabulous questions and conversation as usual :)
 
 
 
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  We have mostly Spanish integrated w/ bilingual ed. 
 
 
 
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 Thanks for tonight's  Monica! It was great!
 
 
 
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Thank you  It's always so awesome to moderate  :D https://t.co/eiJl7KcuLi
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Huge thank you to  for moderating  tonight!! Fabulous questions and conversation as usual :)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Next week is our last  before summer break, right ?