#caedchat Archive
#caedchat is for California educators, by California educators. All are welcome as moderators and participants discuss issues that emerge in California education, which are generally applicable to other regions of the United States.
Sunday April 17, 2016
Let’s all take a moment to introduce ourselves. Where are you from? What do you teach?
Welcome to where educators gather to share and collaborate!
Thank you for joining tonight. The topic is Supporting our English language learners/Emergent Bilingual learners.
Tonight’s is moderated by and guest moderator .
I am Kimberlie McDonald I teach 6th grade
Adam, Orosi, 6-12 Tech Coach
I am a director in Merced
Geri from central coast. Tech tosa at comprehensive high school.
We are happy to have as a guest-mod for tonight’s .
My name is Jamie and I am a secondary TSA Tech Coach for Madera USD
Hi all! I'm Jo-Ann, Coach in Escondido, CA. Excited to moderate with tonight!
Katherine Goyette, Curriculum Support Provider from Sanger Unified in California Central Valley
Hey Kathy from Upland checking in - I teach 9th graders biology
To participate in the chat be sure to use the hashtag on every tweet.
tip: Use TweetDeck and have two columns open for the chat; one for real time and one for where you are in the chat.
moderators will post a questions Q1, Q2, Q3. Participants respond with A1, A2, A3, etc.
Jumping in to lurk and learn Trustee
Hi all! My name is Virginia and I teach 5th grade in Morgan Hill
Hola, I'm Gisel Barrett, 90/10 1st grade teacher in Chula Vista, CA
-----------------> Q1 is ready, are you?
Watch for
Hi there! Alicia Edtech TOSA, Morgan Hill
Hola (50% of all that the Spanish I know) — Urbie from Arizona saying “Hey!”
Shabana Jameel
Consultant/Substitute
Bay Area
I've been looking forward to this.
Or (workaround) I'm on couch with one device on chat stream and one for notifications :) https://t.co/4oCdEdhxmj
tip: Use TweetDeck and have two columns open for the chat; one for real time and one for where you are in the chat.
Q1 About how many English language learners/Emergent Bilingual students are in your classroom or school?
Francisco solis, resourse teacher , chula vista...que pasa?
Hi Tom Whalen from Arroyo Grande High School, Social Studies teacher.
A1- I am not sure what the demographics are. Many of my 2nd lang learners are declined from our ELL program by their parents
A1: We have nearly 50% ELs. In my prior district, we had more than 90% ELs. In both cases, ELD must be designated & integrated.
A1b- Several struggle with they academic language- they are usually enrolled in honors classes like mine
Ted Kirkbride, principal of in Escondido, CA. Thank you and for moderating
. I am at the district. We in Merced are about 67%. In some schools that means 99% and in others 20%
A1 - approx 70% of 350 Tk-6
A1 we have a lot of Long Term EL. Bad label IMHO Stdnts who speak conversational Eng & Span but struggle w academic Lang
A1 About 30% of the Ss in my school are ELL/ Bilingual Emergent.
A1 in my class 24/24 we are a bilingual kinder class
HI all! I am late to the party! Jen fro upland. Teach 9/10/11 ELA
A1) My classrooms typically have 15-25% ELLs. I’m not sure what our school rate is. Probably very close.
HI! I teach K in San Diego. Almost all my students are ELLs.
A1 also getting students from various countries and limited resources to really support them as well as we would like to
My daughter's attended a dual language school kinder-3. Loved it so much.
I guess they believe it holds them back at our level (HS). ELL classes will not be good enough to go to UC/CSU?
I have worked in The OC and the Valley. It's about CALP, not BICS.
Good Evening all! EdTech coach checking in from West Covina. 90+ EL’s in my school. East L.A.
A1- in 1st grade in a program all my students (24) are language learners.
A1: When I had my own ClassRM it was ~18 Ss. All were bilingual. Some were trilingual.
A1 I'm not sure what the actual numbers are but we have a very high EL pop. More than 50% in my classroom are ELs.
-----------------> Q2 is up next. Watch for
Our school offers a biliteracy program and mainstream English.
-----> Q2 Share an example of how you scaffold a lesson for your language learners/ Bilingual Emergent students.
Between 1990-95 I taught in Azusa where 2 of my 5 science classes were conducted in Spanish
The programs are pretty awesome! https://t.co/IufqLVcEsF
My daughter's attended a dual language school kinder-3. Loved it so much.
This afternoon I went for a🚶🏽in downtown Palo Alto. 🚔+🚒+🚑 kept driving by. The moment I looked up,😮 🚔flashed🚨
Good Evening all! Principal checking in from San Clemente.
A2- I show photos and get them to draw diagrams of vocabulary.
I📞+ left msgs for
RE: 🚨PoliceHarassment
Who else are you supposed to call other than a Lawyer?
A2: Scaffolds for ELs include color-coding parts of speech, sentence patterning charts to teach grammatical structure for primary.
A2) I front load vocabulary, both academic and content based. I also encourage all students to use a dictionary while reading
A2 I incorporate sentence frames and visuals whenever possible, graphic organizers in math, lots of small group discussion.
Q2 scaffold starts with a clear language objective with the content objective. Have a realistic set of vocab and some frames
We use pictures like this and act out (pic of exhausted). We then, either write or draw about the word. https://t.co/8yhuipPd0N
Q2-We create anchor charts for every lesson. Students understand the vocab we are learning.
https://t.co/voWz8tFPGT
A2: Scaffold a lesson with visual cues to start. Breaking up objective into chunks.
isn't there some sort of assessment of language prior to student starting program?
A2:Over scaffolding is a problem. Support is good but lowering expectations is not ok.I like Dr. Walqui's notion of apprenticeship
my program is bilingual, all content is taught in their primary language, they have desig. ELD time
I love to color code too. Based on level of Ss as well as part of speech.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
I would be a lot more productive if I wasn't harassed.😬🍎🎨📝☪✝✡
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
It's traumatizing.
A2- quality & recent data, with outcome in mind; <65% go back to the drawing board + RTI
A2: Frayer's model to emphasize vocab can scaffold ELs for a more comprehensive understanding of words.
Making Language Meaningful is part of the new ELD Standards via content.
A2 Help to build prior knowledge about concepts by bringing real world examples into the classroom.
Love the RTI program we started for our lang learners hey have increased in their reading, writing, vocab deve
I agree-It's important to let Ss see U trust they can do challenging work & that U will support as needed https://t.co/1p0Y66aHxx
A2:Over scaffolding is a problem. Support is good but lowering expectations is not ok.I like Dr. Walqui's notion of apprenticeship
A2 it can be w/an inquiry invitation or something as cool as to gather necessary info to begin scaffolding
A2 Getting ahead of subject-specific vocabulary is important, & opps for less directed teaching & more doing
A2: Scaffolding EX:
1️⃣Front Loading Ss w/Vocab
2️⃣Different activities everyday to reinforce Vocab.
Ex: WordWalls +MysteryBoxes
A2: These language scaffolds and strategies are good for all learners.
A2 I try 2 include lots of academic conversation among students, choice in demonstration of knowledge, lots of fun visual content
what are mystery boxes? sounds interesting.
Do you think it is always best to frontload just vocabulary? How might we make "learning vocabulary" more exciting?
A2: Scaffold ELs w/opportunities to practice listening/speaking before being required to write.
pilot Ts just chose McG Hill. Aligned well ELAELD int and des
Color Coding Sentences during DOL w/different parts of Speech either helped or made it pretty.
-----------------> Q3 is set. Watch for
A2 my favorite by far is the inquiry method, Ss help me picture what gaps I need to fill by what ?'s they create and have
Correct; All are english learners, no? https://t.co/D9eOCFMS2P
A2: These language scaffolds and strategies are good for all learners.
Vocabulary is important. With new EL modeling language is key as well as social interactions with peers
I use the Frayer model as well. Very helpful.
A2: Use PVLEGS to scaffold speaking process for ELs & ALL learners.
Q3-What are some strategies you use to increase active participation of your language learners/Emergent Bilingual students?
Word Nerds (book) has great ways to teach vocab. A notebook of words, learning words via song and/or acting out.
Yes! Love this. The inquiry approach inspires critical thinking
do you have a link to the Frayer model?
A3: ELs are more likely to participate when encouraged to speak with peers in their first language when possible.
Developing the oral language is most important. Time to think..wait time crucial, too.
A2) I don’t do anything different for the ELs in my class. I do use SDAIE type strategies with all my students.
Sentence Frames were necessary. Ss need examples of how to frame things Academically. Ss need help w/CALPS.
Yes! Social learning is critical! USING vocabulary is key. Too many just make charts of vocab and expect kids to know
A3- strategic partnering/grouping + specific discourse engagement activities
A3 Think time and lots of small group discussion so ELs can practice the language before having to produce it in front of others.
A3: it's important for students to engage in discussions, online and in class.
A2 I love using anchor charts. Ss love them too. They constantly refer to them for support and understanding.
Visual + Kinesthetic representations of Vocabulary. It's like a mystery guessing game. Worked in Math, too, w/Shapes.
I like peer collaboration. Matching Ss w/like lang skills and/or having a proficient model to help scaffold.
Once I get an idea the fun starts, we currently draw vocabulary to understand it as lesson is taking place, creates immediate und
BTW.. it is refreshing to see more latino educators tonight on .. just saying :)
A3: Key is comprehensible input with lots of context, lots of variations. Get ELLs to both listen & use
A3: WE use Kagan Strategies to help ensure that everyone participates and has an appropriate and meaningful role in the task
. By project based learning, hands on activities, collaborative grouping
A3) I include them as part of the family like everyone else. Make all students feel welcome and valued.
A3 I really like using Kagan strategies and help provide many opportunities for students to interact and use language.
A3 Developing a community of respect in the classroom so all students feel safe when participating
a3 bring the DOK up and then GRR. Love acronyms
Kagan.. any resources you would recommend?
A3 Learning is social. Students should be talking to each other as they make meaning of language and content.
A3 the "EL strategies" I've ever learned are good teaching in general and help with all students.
As “old” as Kagan stuff is- IT IS GREAT STUFF
A3: Not only value, but also celebrate ELs' culture & they are more likely to participate.
excellent.. gotta try it out!
Interesting where is this strategy? Would love to learn more.
1️⃣Ss look away/ blindfolded
2️⃣describe what they pick from a mystery📦/bag 3️⃣ Ss guess Vocab word
check it out, I love the easy to understand examples that are used.
For younger Ss, using a puppet to talk helps some who may be fearful or embarrassed.
A3- metacognition; know what you know (and don't)
A3 but! In order 2 increase willingness 2 speak & participate I give stdents opportunities 2 talk/share small-scale b4 large group
It is old... but we have been recently trained and it is still good stuff. Gets kids inspired to talk
especially in the primary k-2 classroom, congrats.
I L💖VE Curriculum for ELA. Especially their 🏠/School Cxn Take🏠Letters + the SmGroup Leveled Readers.
I have a great book w/ Cooperative Learning strategies
Yes! This keeps us engaged and wanting/needing to speak. I also love recording them. They all love making a video.
I remember GLAD strategies from years back thanks for the reminder
A3 BEFORE you can inspire many opportunities to share and talk, you must establish rapport and build a safe learning environ.
I teach 6th grade and it's totally my ss go to when they are working with vocabulary.
Pair sharing & strategic seating/placing of certain helpful Ss by those in need
cool.. please share title.
-----------------> Q4 is coming very soon. Look for tweet!
I recently loaned my Kagan Book to a new teacher She has been using strategies in her classroom with some success
Yes, this is by far the most important.
----->Q4 How do you integrate technology in order for students to enhance their oral language development?
you can never go wrong incorporating the arts. The arts builds SmARTS ❤️
wow, very impressive. Gotta check it out.
A3 REALIA won’t do without it, Ss spend 85% of the day talking w peers- 2 explain, share ideas, thoughts, or ask questions
Cooperative Learning (there are some newer versions) by Spencer Kagan
Yep! That's the same train of thought.. :) https://t.co/xqLHvSVTFx
Pair sharing & strategic seating/placing of certain helpful Ss by those in need
I’ve used apps that promote visual cues such as Our Story on the iPad
I need to check this out. I learn something new everyday.
It won't play. 🚫▶️ But it sounds like it would be fun + engaging.
It won't play. 🚫▶️ But it sounds like it would be fun + engaging.
A4: Technology can allow Ss to have a voice when they are too shy or struggling to in an open class
I think video is the easiest way for students to see/hear themselves. From there you can spin to other aves. like
A4- Could you have students record themselves speaking? Video helps them see their mouth movements and hear their accent.
A4: There are many Apps in which Ss develop their voice & share, overcome shyness in front of live audience.
A4 when students are collaborating in a shared medium like or other creative work Ss aren't marginalized
A4: Screencasting allows students to explain their thinking & hear themselves speak afterwards.
yes, I notice I get way more from ss when given extra time and time on computers.
Please share.. what are your favorites? I am in a 1:1 school with iPads and apps are so hard to find.
Some great apps give students support.. Storyboard that allows students to pay out their thoughts visually b4 describing orally
A4 Most recent, ELD students collaborated to build in CA, US, and ancient civ in MinecraftEDU Screencasted a tour sharing facts
A4: or start discussion on line then morph into live talk or inner outer circle: inner talking/outer padlet
A3 the most imp strategy I use is integrating ELD in other activities like
A4: I am excited to try for students to create oral presentations, collaborate w/peers worldwide.
A4 visual thesaurus online helps students see how words connect and grow from each other
A4 Technology allows for the incorporation of videos, pictures, language production, hearing language for all students
A4 Having students screencast their creations allows for them to control their visual & linguistic expression
Kagan was one of the 1st things I learned when I was a new T. I use strategies today (23 years later) https://t.co/2BwOwDX4D9
I need to check this out. I learn something new everyday.
A4 Ever try a or ? Great opp for critical thinking and oral language practice.
is mindcraft? is it web bases looks interesting.
a4. New materials let you change the Lexile on text. Also pair video content with selections
A4 new thing I got from was very cool, multi angle Vocabulary development tool
I love using for screen casting
A4: Google Docs is resource for many Ss to collaborae, model proper academic language. Peer ELL w fluent S.
I love https://t.co/PVTohVmmm8
A4: I am excited to try for students to create oral presentations, collaborate w/peers worldwide.
A4: Imovies! Ss Read a text, write, and then record themselves.
They will finalize their voiceovers this week. Hope to have permission to share their work
Seesaw could be great for ss to hear/see themselves. it's a learning journal and way cool and FREEE
https://t.co/fyTs1aWW4t
A moth is playing w/me while I'm trying to chat.
I agree.. I encourage talk.. accountable language talk.. academic talk.. just talk. :)
A4 Best iOS app EVER to practice language is
A3 my Ss favorite activity is to record themselves, they do mini podcasts to share with family and friends
-----------------> Q5 is up next. Look for@MaestraBarrett tweet!
A4 Ss see video of peers in academic conversation. Great modeling
I miss being in the ClassRM just to try stuff📲 like that out.
Isn't it funny how the world works? I've been teaching 18 years and haven't heard.
Q5 How do you track students’ oral language development?
I love podcasts.. I create short podcasts were every student participates.
We have multi-age 4th-6th. Created a "wonder" of CA (4th), US (5th), Ancient Civ (6th).
Yes. is great. Also Also Slides.
Our 4th graders are doing the PBL project called the 22nd Mission and building collaboratively in MinecraftEDU too
A4 My ss use . I also use . It allows you change the lexile level.
A5: A portfolio of oral presentation videos could help track oral language development for ELs, also anecdotal notes.
A5 I'm not doing this now, but have discussed with El teacher.. Using to record student growth over time
Is Blabberize still a thing? I think it would be fun to have student record themselves with a picture that has been “animated”
A4: my HS kids listened to and then debated. It was awesome.
What could I use for 6th grade for screencasting easy to use and can share on Sites?
Does anyone know of a good oral language assessment and/ or monitoring tool?
Use . Ks are corrected "in house" In the past used Systematic ELD
Q5- Ss binders where they track progress too; tables, charts, etc that keeps them accountable too!
A5 A digital portfolio is the best way since we are 1:1 and have a lot of digital content.
I have a moth in my room too...forgot to close my window.
If you only allow Ss to🗣during specific Strategies, they learn strategies. ALLtheTIME➡️BICS (colloquial). https://t.co/mhi7eff80R
A5: we are creating an academic discussion rubric. It's in draft form but we realized our teachers don't know how to gauge this
A5 Also, student self-reflection of oral language progress is critical. Use of student created rubrics is best practice.
I think I might need screencast for personal use.
my school has it blocked, and voice too! The port it uses can be used to get around the filter: what IT told me :/
A4 tech is used w/ purpose 4 lang dev. Ss use it to create learning resources that can be used by Ss or others 2 und. lessons obj,
Screencastify is a pretty easy app on the Chrome browser
A5 I don’t have a great way to monitor oral lang (YET) but SIRI/Speech to Text is a great way for me to be sure to speak clearly.
I will have to check it out, what do you use it for specifically? I want them to read stories, myths they have written.
I know I almost didn't know which one to like first.
A4 if you can teach Ss to document their learning through digital books, its both empowering and encourages language growth
---------------------> Prepare for Q6 from
A5 SysELD Ongoing Assessment Logs and weekly/unit tests during designated ELD.
A5: It all comes back to comment. Teachin Chem is another language in its own! Tough topic https://t.co/jugDgGV9mD
A3) I include them as part of the family like everyone else. Make all students feel welcome and valued.
What do you use? What grade level would you reccomend?
-----> Q6 How do you ensure you are challenging your English language learners/Emergent Bilingual students?
A5 lots of documentation through videos, and voice recordings, and when they present their projects
L Link doesn't work. Try again?
Love to hear more about your designated ELD time.
we use something as simple as notes on iPad or something more complex as Keynote, my Ss are kinder, they can do it
They could illustrate|narrate their stories. Screencastify records screen w/audio.
Set high expectations for them as well as your teaching to them. Be present.
A6 We need to be very careful that when scaffolding that we don't dilute the learning. That we continue to have high expectations
Lang is cognition and redesignation takes inference acad lang writing 3 genres, like an EO! oral lang is the start
its a whole school switch time where Ss go to classes based off of their grade/ability level.
Try It's super easy to use. Even *I* can use it. It's the end of the Yr. might be fun to experiment.
A6 are Ss engaged and participating? I’m always observing and documenting if they’re bored they’re not learning !
I don't have to do green screen stuff do I?
A6: Never dilute content for ELs. You are providing scaffolds to ensure they can access grade level content. No dumbing it down.
I just learned this today from . It presents knowing a second language as what it is... EMPOWERING!
We did in the past too. Are you using content to teach units? Or following theirs?
A6-Give them the strategies they need to excel. Language learners will be able to accomplish everything you expect from them.
we do, but they were ready for something new, I try 2 teach them diff platforms that way Ss choose
A6: Use grade level text and provide students the strategies for accessing that text.
Do any of you use Instagram for vocabulary development? Great training at CUE but afraid to use it in elementary grades...
A6: Set high expectations and support risks.
Mostly using theirs. I have swapped in content for our Long Term EL's who were bored with the units.
----->Q7 How might we help support the families of our language learners?
--------------------> will be sending out Q7 soon.
Sorry I have to go, learned so much thank you all! See you next week. Have a great Monday! I will!
many times I see the teacher working too hard. Stop talking. The person talking is doing the thinking. Questioning techniques!
Q7 How might we help support the families of our language learners?
Instagram in the elementary grades scares me too! But I'm curious to see how to use it.
A6 Language is developed in 7 years. Celebrate each step because Ss are becoming bilingual
I wonder why Blabberize is blocked? Do they think the kids would use it to do naughty things?
I would try a private Facebook group or even a Google Group
Different Strategies work4️⃣Diff Ss depending on # of Ss + T resources. Interesting.
A7- home visits w/ purpose; parent centered wkshps; establish relationships w/ parents
A7 Promote 1st language use at home! When students understand in the primary language. They will easily connect to a 2nd language
A7 Invite parents into school more often! Our district offers many opportunities for Ps to come and learn
A7 Getting Ss/Ps literate in BOTH languages is important! Have entertaining books in their 1st language available in the library?
A6: Ensure that you develop Tier 2 & 3 vocabulary
Sometimes I think schl doesn't trust ss to use tech way it should be..school doesn't have supreme power.
Q7 We are lucky to have a fabulous community liaison at our site. He helps with communicating w/ and educating our families
in parent meetings too. Stop talking and listen. See the world through the parents eyes
🙋🏻A reason why I've been working on my own theory. I firmly believe that # can be⬇️+ my ClassRM can be duplicated.
Great Minds Think Alike! https://t.co/hPrtHnOrtw
A7 Promote 1st language use at home! When students understand in the primary language. They will easily connect to a 2nd language
A7 I just trained Ps how to access their child's Google Account. Then showed them how to use Google Translate!
A7 Help close the digital divide. shared w P’s how to access their S’s work in Google Classroom in our 1:1 prgrm.
Communicate in native lang; even if not perfect. I speak Spanish to Ps even if not perfect. Shows I am not afraid to take risk.
A7 we have an awesome Outreach program that provides many services 2 our families, share and constantly revisit Ss goals w/Ps
Our district hosts parent academies in both English/Spanish
Thankful that apps like has a translate button for parents. Can be connected to our learning
A7 I think parents of ELs need to see their child's progress, big or small. Any progress is great progress.
Teachers can now use google translate for text---to--speech
Me too! I learned most of my Spanish from the families I taught. Thankful to them.
yes! Empathy w/ our Ss & Ps
Thanks for all the great thinking . I'm ready to tackle my Monday. How about you?
Be sure to follow some new educators from the chat tonight to help grow your PLN
I will need to look into this. We are completing a big research project that we share w/families. Tell me more.
Also add parent-student potlucks. Good food helps dissolve barriers, parents share, kids take pride
