Language

Course #L1042 The NYSESLAT is a yearly state assessment that all ELLs will take regardless of their disability, functioning level, grade, or native language. The NYSESALT is designed to assess ELLs in the areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing in English. This course is intended to prepare not only English as a New Language teachers, but teachers in all areas, to support ELLs for the NYSESLAT. In this course you will analyze the Blueprint for ELL success, observe ways ESOL teachers differentiate for ELLs, examine co-teaching models, view and critique samples of the NYSESLAT, observe the “7 Step Vocabulary Strategy,” practice Bloom’s “hot questioning,” and create mini-lessons that touch upon the modalities; listening, speaking, reading, and writing. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service only

Course #L1040 All teachers are teachers of English learners. It is essential for educators to understand second language acquisition and how they can support ELLs in the classroom. This course will provide a brief overview of second language acquisition including language stages, theories, factors affecting acquisition, lesson models, and language objectives. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service only

With the adoption of the CCLS one major instructional shift has been to incorporate more nonfiction into the classroom. As educators, one of our major goals is to prepare students to be college and career ready. Approximately ninety-five percent of daily work-related information is in expository form. Based upon this information, it is necessary for educators to teach students ways to navigate and comprehend this form of text. This course will help teachers improve nonfiction instruction and expository reading comprehension with their students. Topics covered in this class include: expository text structure, features and patterns strategies for vocabulary instruction metacognition strategies like activation of prior knowledge (new to known), self-monitoring skills, questioning the text, determining importance, and synthesizing As a result of this course participants will gather helpful unit plans of study for incorporating nonfiction for immediate classroom use. A must for all educators K-12!! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

The focus of this course will be to provide educators with an overview of the Next Generation Learning Standards recently adopted by New York State. Participants will have the opportunity to research and study the philosophy behind the new standards and the timeline for implementation. During this course, educators will research the ELA, Math, and Science standards appropriate to his/her grade level. In addition, educators will examine the differences between the Next Generation Learning Standards and the current Common Core Learning Standards. As a culminating activity, students will create dynamic lessons aligned to the Next Generation Learning standards utilizing the information learned in this course. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

An author study is a thorough examination of the life, career, and literary works/achievements of an author. Through this study, students are given the opportunity to critically evaluate an author’s themes, characters, and writing style. In addition, students will make connections between the author’s life, work, and characters as well as make personal connections to the books and characters. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Literacy is at the forefront of education today. All teachers are expected to be Òteachers of reading,Ó no matter what their subject area may be. Teachers need a repertoire of lessons and ideas to motivate learners and elevate student abilities. This course provides a plethora of lessons, graphic organizers, best practice techniques, strategic thinking skills, collaborative, small group activities, and models that enhance student learning. Via the activities, participants will delve deeper into the literacy process and apply the models to their respective discipline. The subject areas of reading, writing, science, math, social studies, and health will be covered. Specific strategies and projects will be covered as well as a multitude of best practice techniques. In the end, you will walk away with a literary bag of tricks! Suitable all educators K-12! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

It’s difficult – if not sometimes impossible – to motivate students to open their minds to literature. If the students found a way to relate to characters on a realistic level, they would be more willing to read and engage in class discussions. They could feel more ownership of the literature. Middle and high school English teachers enrolled in this course will explore creative ways to bring some of the most famous literary characters into the 21st century classroom. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Feeling nervous about the new standards? Worried that you will not be able to tackle the Common Core rigors? Fear no more! In this course, you will be able to decipher the common core code and utilize writing techniques to implement the common core standards. You will be exposed to a plethora of writing and reading techniques that will recharge your students while being completely standards orientated. Multiple writing genres will be introduced as well as essential tools to help your students tackle the tests. Assignments and assessments will be provided that mirror the common core. This course is a MUST for all educators K-12! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

The comprehension of literature and development of reading skills is at the foundation of the education process. This course will address ways that educators can help English Language Learners (ELL) improve on understanding text. It will examine the relationship between oral English proficiency and literacy, while providing participants with oral reading strategies to use with the ELL students. The information provided in this course will support instruction in all K-12 classrooms. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Course Description: Journaling has always been a way to express your thoughts and get your ideas out.  It has also been a way to milestone important events, record everyday happenings, or just let out your innermost feelings.  As educators, we have the opportunity to use journaling to our benefit on a daily basis.  In this course, educators will discuss the importance of journaling and the benefits of journaling in all subject areas.  We will discuss how to begin a daily journaling routine for both students and teachers.  This routine can work for all students and educators and can be used as an emotional tool.  Journaling can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and help affect us in many positive ways.  Educators will discuss a variety of strategies from the fact “that there’s no right way to journal”, to “how to keep on journaling.”  Teachers will discuss the benefits of handwritten journaling vs. digital journaling.   Strategies such free writing, timed writing and the 1-minute journal strategy will be explored. Participants will receive a series of journal prompts, ideas and samples to be used for any subject areas and to model in their classrooms.  This course is a must for all educators of all subjects and grade levels K-12.   Instructor:  Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 credits – In service Course (45 Hours)

Overview: Teachers of other subjects sometimes wonder why certain students remain in ENL programs when they "speak English." However, passing the NYSESLAT involves more than just spoken English proficiency. The test assesses listening, reading, and writing skills, demanding a nuanced understanding of English in various contexts, including cultural nuances. Many students find meeting these criteria challenging, and the pressure of standardized testing often limits their ability to showcase their language skills fully. Beyond the NYSESLAT, ELL students often face reading and writing challenges stemming from their early education. They initially learned these skills in their native language or in systems different from those in the United States. This transition to a new language and educational structure creates gaps in their foundational literacy. Adapting to a new writing system, grammar, and vocabulary delays their English literacy development, even if their spoken English is proficient. These hurdles persist throughout their academic journey, affecting assessments like the NYSESLAT. Objective: This course will address how the literacy gap and lack of foundations ELLs face from a young age make it difficult for ELLs to catch up to perform on grade level throughout the rest of their school career, and essentially, pass the NYSELAT. We will explore different strategies to try and meet their literacy needs and support them to reach proficiency on the state exam.

Do you view vocabulary instruction as prosaic, humdrum, monotonous, mundane, thread bare? Acquiring vocabulary skills are tantamount to doing well in all aspects of academics. Instructing students on vocabulary usage can be accomplished through many modalities: computers, reading, diagramming, activity based. This course will provide you with effective ways to implement vocabulary instruction with your students. Current research will be examined, as well as specific strategies that enable students to comprehend vocabulary words will be addressed. A must for all K-12 educators!!!! On-Line (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

This course will provide a foundation for understanding the history and development of Bilingual Education. The overall social and philosophical foundations of Bilingual Education will be reviewed in detail. Additionally, legislative changes throughout history for students of limited English proficiency will be examined by participants. By understanding the development of Bilingual Education over time, educators will be better prepared to meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELL). ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

“Guided reading is a teaching approach used with all readers, struggling or independent, that has three fundamental purposes: to meet the varying instructional needs of all the students in the classroom, enabling them to greatly expand their reading powers; to teach students to read increasingly difficult texts with understanding and fluency; to construct meaning while using problem solving strategies to figure out unfamiliar words that deal with complex sentence structures, and understand concepts or ideas not previously encountered. Guided reading is the place where every child, every day, has the opportunity to learn by reading a book that is just right.” – Fountas & Pinnell, 2001 This course will provide a detailed explanation of the philosophy of guided reading. Various components of guided reading will be explored including: management, teacher and student roles, assessment, flexible grouping, strategy and skill lessons, etc. Participants in the course will research the history of small group instruction and compare/contrast guided reading with more traditional instructional approaches. In addition, participants will learn the benefits of guided reading and be given the resources and information to implement guided reading within his/her own classroom. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only