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April 21, 2008
"The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in
themselves." - Joseph Campbell
Dictionary: A place where success comes before work.
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 ESL/Bilingual and Migrant Conference
English as a Second Language (ESL), Bilingual and Migrant Education Conference Scheduled: May 1 and 2, 2008
This
year's conference includes over 50 timely sessions, exhibitor booths
and two highly qualified, featured speakers. Dr. Dina Birman will speak
on the topic of school-based intervention and mental health services
for refugee students and Dr. Margo Gottlieb, on ELL evaluation,
assessment and program design. Deadline for registration is April
25th. Register for the conference online
. View the conference mailer.
Questions can be e-mailed to MDE.ELL-conf@state.mn.us .
Washington Middle School Grand Reopening
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Grand Reopening
Program 10:00AM to 10:30AM
Tours at 10:30AM
You are cordially invited to our Grand Reopening. Please join us as we celebrate the completion of our $17 million renovation. A landmark in Saint Paul’s North End neighborhood, Washington Technology Magnet Middle School proudly continues a tradition of academic excellence, inclusive and welcoming programs, and outstanding opportunities to the students and families of Saint Paul with the new BioSMART initiative. Come meet our students and staff! Come enjoy the architectural creativity in the space and light of our new design! Come experience Washington!!!
We look forward to seeing you! LCD Advisory Committee
This is just a reminder that this coming Wednesday, April 23, 2008 we are going to have our last Latino Consent Decree Advisory Committee meeting of the 2007-2008 school year. The topic of the meeting is “Student Health and Wellness”. Presenter Ann Hoxie Administrator, Student Wellness Saint Paul Public Schools The meeting will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 360 Colborne in rooms A and B. Transportation, a light dinner, and childcare will be provided. If you have any questions about this meeting, please email Pablo Matamoros at pablo.matamoros@spps.orgSpanish FlierEnglish Flier
Academic Content Word List
This website has vocabulary lists of academic content words which
educators may find useful when planning both academic and language
objectives.
http://language.massey.ac.nz/staff/awl/sublists.shtml
T.ELL.E-GRAM
Colorin Colorado's April T.ELL.E-GRAM focuses on assessment and English language learners, offering information about formal and informal assessments, No Child Left Behind and ELLs, state standards, and more!
It also highlights two important celebrations in April: El día de los niños / El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) and National Poetry Month. Be sure to see related resources, booklists, and classroom activities featured in the "In the classroom" section!
view site
 English preLAS for Kindergarten Students
We
have already received assessment data from some schools. Thank you and
keep them coming! The last day for submission is Friday, April 25th.
Please send the data to Bonnie Lawrence at Student Placement. Please let Bonnie know if you have any data submission questions
(632-2773 or bonnie.lawrence@spps.org). Please contact your TOSA if
you have any questions regarding the administration of the preLAS.
MinneTESOL Opportunity
MinneTESOL is looking for a person or two from SPPS that works
primarily with newcomers and would like to share their experiences with
other elementary ELL teachers. We are having a panel of teachers from
different districts and schools share for a short time about their
experiences with newcomers by explaining how their program works and
what curriculum is being used. Attendees will be able to ask questions
of the panel members. This would be a great opportunity for you to
share your experiences with others and network with other teachers. If
you are interested in being a part of the panel, please e-mail Clair Wolters at clairjuly@yahoo.com.
 Century College Asian Night
A Topic for Discussion: 10 Myths about Learning to Read by Sebastian Wren
Michael Pressley, in his excellent book, Reading Instruction that Works,
concluded with a discussion of what he considered to be "Ten Dumb and
Dangerous Claims About Reading Instruction." All of the points he made
were quite compelling, but one wonders if these are his "top ten" picks
for the most dangerous myths about reading instruction.
Some might at least argue that the list should be re-ordered
(placing some higher on the list than Pressley did), and certainly some
would argue that there are a few myths that should have made the cut
that he never mentioned. Curious readers are directed to his book to
review his "top ten" list (the book is well written and highly
informative), but here we will examine a second perspective of the most
damaging myths and misconceptions about reading instruction. Let us
begin with a myth that Pressley did not mention, but which is arguably
the most pernicious myth currently influencing reading instruction read rest of article
MN GRAD Writing Prompts
During the fall of 2008, there will be a field test for
GRAD written composition. We will be beginning prompt development
shortly. We are inviting high school teachers to submit writing prompts
that could be used for the GRAD written composition. The prompts will
be reviewed with a panel of Minnesota teachers during a Prompt Review
this August. Prompts must pass a review of bias and sensitivity as well
as a review of field test performance data before being used with
students in an operational test. Prompts must be brief, allow all
populations of students to access the prompt with common background
knowledge, and be appropriate for all student populations (e.g.,
English language learners). Previously-used prompts can be found online.
Please encourage your high school English teachers to submit their
prompts to mde.testing@state.mn.us with “Writing Prompts” in the
subject line. The deadline for submitting prompts is June 16th.
National Dual Language Consortium Website
Dual language is a form of bilingual education in which students are
taught literacy and content in two languages. The majority of dual
language programs in the United States teach in English and Spanish,
although increasing numbers of programs use a partner language other
than Spanish, such as Arabic, French, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, or
Mandarin.
Dual language programs use the partner
language for at least half of the instructional day in the elementary
years. These programs generally start in kindergarten or first grade
and extend for at least five years, and many continue into middle
school and high school. Most dual language programs are located in
neighborhood schools, although many are charter, magnet, or private
schools.
Dual language programs foster
bilingualism, biliteracy, enhanced awareness of linguistic and cultural
diversity, and high levels of academic achievement through instruction
in two language. Website: http://www.dual-language.org/what_is.htm
TeacherTube
The
goal of Teacher Tube is to provide an online community for sharing
instructional videos. It is a site to provide anytime, anywhere
professional development with teachers teaching teachers. As well, it
is a site where teachers can post videos designed for students to view
in order to learn a concept or skill. Most importantly, TeacherTube
community members are a major part of the evolution of the site.
Members are encouraged to not only upload educationally relevant
videos, but also to make constructive comments and use the rating
system to show appreciation for videos of value to one as an educator
or learner. With more collegial commentary and discussion through
messaging and responses, the quality of this resource will only
increase.
http://www.teachertube.com/
Choice (Literary) Options
Option 1: This is not a trick question: When is a
multiple choice vocabulary test fun and motivating? The answer: A
multiple choice vocabulary test is fun when it is a game on the
computer that gives you harder words when you get one right and easier
words when you miss one. It is a game that donates rice to the world's
hungry every time you get a definition right. It's called Free Rice,
and if you haven't played yet, go now and give it a try.
www.freerice.com The
site explains how to use Free Rice with students to teach specific
literacy skills and motivate students to learn words. The article
includes details on two additional free web-based games for vocabulary
building:
Option 2: The Map My Word tool
is a great free gadget to add to your computer desktop, or student
computers in your classroom. The gadget is availalbe in Spanish and
several other languages. It was designed by the folks who created the
nifty VocabGrapher and Visual Thesaurus, and any writer will find it
instantly addictive:
http://www.mapmyword.com/
Seeking Creative Writing Mentors for Youth
Extended Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Help create a new generation of writers. Become a Wings mentor today.
Attention
Writers!! Wings is a program designed for avid young writers desiring
more support and guidance than is provided in the traditional school
setting, or even in the average creative writing class. Wings pairs you
with a young writer (ages 9-19) for a mentorship that will run from May
through August 2008
As a Wings mentor, you are expected to help
young writers explore their worlds, imaginations, and writing skills
through guided reading, writing, and conversation. Reading suggestions
and writing exercises will be provided, but the best mentors teach what
they know and love. Mentors are encouraged to bring their own writing
and the writing of authors that they admire to the table. Mentors are
paid a stipend of $300.
Poetry Contest
Here's a unique publishing opportunity for our students' poetry!
The Public Works Department of the city of Saint Paul is sponsoring a Poetry Contest
open to all -old and young, pro and amateur. Their idea is to "publish"
winning poems by installing them in sidewalk slabs all over the city.
Winners also receive $150. Because the space on a sidewalk slab is
small, poems are limited to 300 characters or fewer.David Hunt, the
city coordinator of this project says, "It's not a haiku contest, but
think haiku in terms of length."
The deadline for submission is April 25. NOTE: The submission fee is WAIVED for students.
McCarthy Dressmen Education Foundation Academic Enrichment and Teacher Development GrantsMcCarthey Dressman Education Foundation
Deadline for applications: May 1, 2008
Headquartered
in Salt Lake City, Utah, the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation
was created in recognition of the struggle educators often face in
bringing truly exceptional teaching to their students. The foundation
awards grants to those projects and/or initiatives with significant
potential to augment the educational experiences for youth of all
backgrounds.
The foundation is now accepting applications for its Academic Enrichment Grants and Teacher Development Grants.
Academic
Enrichment Grants are designed to develop in-class and extracurricular
programs that improve student learning. These grants seek to maximize
innovation and results in classrooms and education departments by
funding programs that nurture the intellectual, artistic, and creative
abilities of children from low-income households. Successful applicants
may receive grants of up to $10,000 each per year for a maximum of
three years.
Teacher Development Grants seek to increase the
effectiveness of individual educators and small teams of teachers by
funding the formation and implementation of groundbreaking K-12
classroom instruction. Grantees may be awarded amounts of up to $10,000
each per year for a maximum of three years. The program provides
opportunities for teachers to integrate fresh strategies that encourage
critical inquiry and to observe the effect of those strategies on
students. Teachers have the opportunity to reflect and write about
their projects and to share their observations with other teachers.
http://www.mccartheydressman.org/
MinnesTESOL Grants due May 10
In
2008, we are pleased to offer grants to MinneTESOL members to support
the important work in ESL being done around the state. Applications are
due May 10, 2008, and may include proposals for special events,
classroom materials, professional development, and other learning
projects. Please download the application for more information.
Questions can be directed to Patsy at patsy@minnetesol.org.
Financial support for these grants was made possible in part through
funds raised at the 2007 Silent Auction at the Fall Conference. Please
consider making a donation to the silent auction in 2008! More
information will follow in coming months.
Clair's blog www.booksandpaper.blogspot.com
Puppet Making Class
In partnership with the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, CHAT will be offering a PUPPET MAKING CLASS where participants will make larger than life sized puppets in Hmong clothing to walk in the International Children’s Parade on May 31, 2008 in downtown Saint Paul!
This is a GREAT opportunity! Classes will happen at CHAT: 995 University Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104
for more info, call 651-603-6971
Please tell and encourage every young person you know to participate! And, the BEST part of all… CHAT will own these puppets and use them forever!
2008 Summer Institutes at the University of Minnesota
Medieval Film: Exploring European Culture through Time and Place
June 23 - 27, 2008 - class meets 9:00am - 4:00pm daily
Ray Wakefield, Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch, University
of Minnesota
Immigrant Dreams & Contemporary African Diasporic Literatures
June 23-27, 2008 - class meets 9:00am - 4:00pm daily
Njeri Githire, Department of African-American and African Studies,
University of Minnesota
Transitional Justice: Seeking Truth and Accountability for Systematic
Human Rights Violations
July 7 - 11, 2008 - class meets 9:00am - 4:00pm daily
Barbara Frey, Human Rights Program, and Martha Bigelow, Department of
Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota
Documenting the Hmong Diaspora: Literary, Cinematic, and Oral Historical
Approaches to Diaspora
July 14 - 18, 2008 - class meets 9:00am - 4:00pm daily
Mitch Ogden, Department of English, University of Minnesota
Contemporary European Politics and Society
July 28 - August 1, 2008 - class meets 9:00am - 4:00pm daily
Carl-Gustaf Scott, Department of Political Science, Hamline University
The Worlds of Islam
August 4 - 8, 2008 - class meets 9:00am - 4:00pm daily
G.S. Sahota, Department of Asian Languages and Literatures, University
of Minnesota
*About the Institutes*
*Registration Fees
***Summer Institute fees are $75/institute and include 30 CEUs,
readings, field trips, and lunch for each day of the institute.
*Location
*All institutes will be held on the University of Minnesota's
Minneapolis campus. Details about room and building locations will be
mailed out with your readings prior to the start of the institute.
*Academic Credit*
If you wish to register for undergraduate or graduate credit, you will be assessed tuition at the current rates and if you are not a current U of M student, you may register through the College of Continuing Education at the reduced departmental masters rate of $388/credit. Each
institute is a 2 credit course. Contact your home department to see if these courses will count towards your degree or licensure programs.
*Housing*
Teachers from outside the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area are eligible to stay in on-campus housing in single rooms. Each institute has a
limited number of housing scholarships available to teachers on a first-come, first-served basis. After the housing scholarship funds are
depleted, you may still pay for a room at the rate of $50/night. Visit
http://igs.cla.umn.edu/outreach to download an application.
<http://igs.cla.umn.edu/pdf/HousingApplication.pdf>
*Travel Stipends*
To encourage teachers from outside the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area to attend our *week-long summer institutes*, we have a limited number of
travel stipends available. Teachers may apply for stipends up to $250 and they may be used to defray the costs of airfare or mileage. Visit
http://igs.cla.umn.edu/outreach to download an application.
*Register Online*
To register, visit http://igs.cla.umn.edu/outreach/registration.html
Detailed descriptions about each institute are online at
http://igs.cla.umn.edu/outreach/profdev.html.
Questions? Contact Molly McCoy at outreach@umn.edu or 612-624-7346.
The summer institutes for teachers are developed and administered by the Institute for Global Studies at the University of Minnesota through the support of a Title VI grant from the US Department of Education.
Michelle Carter, MA, JD
Interim Director of Research and Sponsored Programs
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Wigley Administration Building 325
507-389-2322 office
507-389-5459 fax
2008 International Essay Contest for Young People - Creating a Culture of Peace
International Essay Contest organized by UNESCO and the Goi Peace Foundation
with the sponsorship of the Earthrise Society.
The theme for this year's contest is "My project to create positive change
in my environment. How can I foster sustainable development in my
community." The deadline for entry is June 30, 2008. First prize winners
will receive a cash award and a trip to Japan.
Please see the complete guidelines below. The same information can be
found on the Goi Peace Foundation website:
http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0801_00.htm
To read winning essays from last year's contest, go to
http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0702.htm
Please spread the information about the essay contest to young people in
your network.
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
The Goi Peace Foundation
National TPR Conference
The
national TPRS® Conference will be held at the University of Minnesota,
July 21-25, 2008. TPR Storytelling is a method for teaching languages
that was invented by Blaine Ray, in 1990 and is based on the work of
James Asher and Stephen Krashen. Check out the website to get more
information - http://ntprs2008.eventbrite.com/
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