Spring Fever

March 23, 2016

Archived online at https://polyglotpress.blogspot.com

Your contributions to this e-newsletter are very welcome.

BRAVO

·         Congrats to Martha Hernández who applied and was accepted to take Forest Hills High students to the Nuevolution exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South and to attend a Saturday training for teachers. The museum is paying for entrance fees and the bus for her students!

Professional Development

·      March 24^th, 2016 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET Principles of Contemporary Language Teaching - Part 2 “These days, you'd be hard pressed to find a language teacher who doesn't claim to be teaching communicatively. But what does "communicatively" mean? How do you know whether you're really teaching communicatively? This week Bill Van Patten examines another underlying principle of contemporary language teaching: If you're going to teach communicatively, you’d better have a working definition of communication.” Following last week's discussion on the nature of language, we’ll talk about the nature of communication and how that should inform the decisions we make. Join us as we once again invite our listeners to rethink some of the basic notions of language teaching. This is a must-listen online show! Tune in live on Thursday at 3pm. http://www.teawithbvp.com/ Past shows are archived.

·      March 24, 2016 8:00 p.m. Twitter chat #globaledchat will focus on teaching Africa. The discussion starts at 8pmET/5pmPT.  

·      April 8 – 9, 2016 TELL Collaborative Nashville will bring together world language educators to explore, model, and share effective language learning practices identified by the TELL Framework (TELL = Teaching Effectiveness for Language Learning). The two-day professional learning experience will include a mixture of collaborative sessions to help teachers identify their own professional learning goals and to support administrators in their efforts to implement the TELL Project with their teachers. From Friday, April 8, 2016 at 8:00 AM until Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 3:00 PM (CDT) Lipscomb's Idea Center - 3252 Aspen Grove Drive. #9. Franklin, TN 37067 $105.44 – $137.09 For more www.TELLcollabnashville.org

·         April 9, 2016 8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. AATSP & AATF Mini-Conference “Globalization in the Curriculum: Bringing Together K– 20 Language Learning”. Keynote speaker – Dr. Mary Lynn Redmond. Wake Forest University. The price for the Spring Conference is $25, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. For planning purposes, they ask that your check be received by April 4th. There will be on-site registration. Winston-Salem, NC  http://ncaatsp.org/events/2016-joint-spring-conference/ For details on French presentations,  http://ncfrenchteachers.weebly.com

·      Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 4:00 – 6:00 Second Language Teaching and Language Learning Disabilities. PDC Room 205 There is a long continuum between learning disabled and gifted students. What do the individual difference look like in the second language classroom? What can we do to support learners with weak language learning skills? This workshop by Donna Podgorny is based on research by Dr. S Watts (UNC-C), Dr. A Milstead (Samford U) and the book Foreign Languages for Everyone (Konyndyk). Bring your classroom stories and an interest in improving our craft. Pizza will be served. 2 Academic Content CEU hours are available.

·      Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning PDC Room 205. Lead by Donna Podgorny, attendees will analyze the components of the TELL project, the checklists and surveys offered. While TELL documents are the focus of the workshop, teachers will experience stations and hopefully be able to apply what they learn to their classrooms. Pizza will be served. 2 Academic Content CEU hours are available.

·      Tuesday, May 10, 2016 4:00 – 6:00 Rating with (WL) Rubrics  PDC 205.Teachers will have hands-on experience in applying rubrics (UCPS and others) to UCPS student benchmark samples. Guided by Donna Podgorny, teachers will grade samples from various writing and speaking assessments then discuss the various criteria. Canvas WL rubrics will be shared. Please bring sample student work, especially from UCPS benchmarks if you use them. Pizza will be served. 2 Academic Content CEU hours are available.

·         June 13, 2016 to June 17, 2016 Catching up with Your Students: Digital Learning – Cullowhee,  NCCAT 14165 http://www.nccat.org/events/14165-catching-your-students-digital-learning-cullowhee

·         June 13, 2016 to June 17, 2016 Relevant Literacy Instruction: It’s More than Just Books – Ocracoke, NCCAt 14166 http://www.nccat.org/events/14166-relevant-literacy-instruction-it%E2%80%99s-more-just-books-ocracoke

·         July 11 – 29 Summer Graduate Institute for Foreign Language Teachers: one, two and three week courses for CEUs or Graduate Credit. Spanish: Indigenous Languages and Literature and Culture in Latin America and Curriculum and Materials Design. French: History of Comedy in French and Curriculum and Materials Design. All classes in French or Spanish. App State. Apply by June 15 but courses may fill sooner.  http://dllc.appstate.edu/graduate/summer-institute

Events

·         Friday, April 1, 2016 through Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 Los Jets: Playing for the American Dream The lobby case exhibit will feature photographs and artifacts that tell the story of Los Jets, the 2004 men's soccer players from Siler City's Jordan-Matthews High School, the first predominantly Latino sports team to win a statewide championship in North Carolina. Admission is free. North Carolina Museum of History http://www.wral.com/entertainment/out_and_about/event/14901203/

·         May Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.

Pedagogy

·         Objectives  - “The lesson's performance objectives are clearly stated in student-friendly language and posted in the classroom  for the duration of the lesson, encouraging students to take responsibility their own learning.” ACTFL has sample “Can do statements” http://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/Can-Do_Statements_2015.pdf These objectives are known also as ‘language targets’ in that they focus on what the student should be able to do in the language. “Students are engaged in activities designed to meet the daily performance objectives as part of a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant and based on the North Carolina  World  Language Essential Standards.” http://wlnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Administrator+Guides

·         90% Target Language Use – “ACTFL states that teachers and students should speak in the target language at least 90% of the time at all levels of instruction, with teachers using visuals, gestures, and manipulatives to indicate meaning. Students participate in activities that require them to use language for meaningful purposes. They are required to use vocabulary and structures they have memorized in meaningful ways in order to communicate with others by writing or speaking.” “The teacher  brings a richness and depth of understanding to the classroom    and demonstrates content knowledge by using the target  language at least 90% of the time as reflected in instruction, materials, and interactions with students.” “If the teacher uses English it appears that  its use is for purposes that could not be carried  out in the target  language, such as establishing and maintaining a positive and flexible learning environment.”http://wlnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Administrator+Guides

UCPS Global Scholars

New 2016 UCPS Global Scholars posters and flyers have been sent to MS and HS principals with copies for principals, guidance counselors, world language teachers and social studies. Please get to know the available and qualifying courses and instructors at your school. Please encourage students to set this as a goal. UCPS Global Scholars must complete two world language courses but can added additional world language courses in the same language as part of their required six elective credits.

·         The Global Scholar video is found at http://bit.ly/UCPSGlobalScholar

·         The Global Scholar flyer is found at http://bit.ly/UCPSGlobalScholarflyerS2016

DPI

·         The NC Board of Education approved a Global Language Endorsement to go into effect for students: 1) pass an external exam approved by the NC DPI establishing “Intermediate Low” proficiency or higher per the ACTF proficiency scale, 2) complete a four-course sequence of study in the same world language, earning an overall GPA of 2.5 or above in those courses, 3) establish “Intermediate Low” proficiency or higher per the ACTFL proficiency scale using the Credit by Demonstrated Mastery policy. http://sbepolicy.dpi.state.nc.us/policies/GCS-L-007.asp?pri=01&cat=L&pol=007&acr=GCS  Please note that the student does not have to earn credit in four WL courses. The student just has to pass level IV.

·         There are 17 languages offered in NC public schools. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0K1-ZK0_vg5OElzZG9UUVRWVWs/view

UCPS World Language Learning K – 3

·         You will enjoy the new SPLASH webpage about immersion education in UCPS http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Domain/2775 There is also a four minute video by Unionville principal Sharyn Von Cannon about her Phd research and her school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrdoyMlpCHM&feature=youtu.be

·         DPI has launched a Dual Language Immersion wiki with resources, program models, research findings, links to NC programs etc. http://wlnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Dual+Language+%26+Immersion+Program  There are currently over 100 dual language immersion programs in North Carolina. In Fall 2005, there were seven. Languages of instruction include Cherokee, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese and Spanish. The expansion of dual language immersion programs is aligned with the January 2013 NC State Board of Education’s Task Force on Global Education and in particular to Commitment 2.1 Leading-edge Language Instruction “Institute a plan for statewide access to dual language/immersion opportunities beginning in elementary school and continuing through high school. http://wlnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/file/view/SBE%20Global%20Education%20Task%20Force%20Report%20January2013.pdf/416883304/SBE%20Global%20Education%20Task%20Force%20Report%20January2013.pdf 

Tech Tools – Creating Comics (Thanks to Carren Heartley, MRHS Media Coordinator)

·         http://www.cartoonize.net allows for uploading photos to create a cartoon.

·         http://www.comicshead.com - Create comics, storyboards, projects and slides. 

·         http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic - Teachers can make a quick six block black and white line drawing storyboard for students to fill in details in the speech bubbles. Likewise, no log in is needed so students can write their comic story themselves from scratch.

·         http://www.makebeliefscomix.com

·         https://www.pixton.com

·         http://writecomics.com

Resources – All Languages

·         SCOLT Conference Wiki – Enjoy many presenters presentations from the recent Southern Conference on Language Teaching in Charlotte http://scoltconference.wikispaces.com/SCOLT+Conference+Wiki+-+Home?responseToken=00010dd09424d1602e6c6d444305cc18e

·         NCAA Brackets – Use the blank brackets for multiple ‘competitions’ to see which song, video, drawing, cartoon, picture, story, tweet, etc. wins “March Madness”.  Break students into four regions to vote for the best in each play-off. Follow the winners up through the brackets to the Final Four. Then let the whole class compete to see which regional winner becomes the champion. From the blog of http://spanishmama.com. Brackets found also at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uP8jICmvquLjyYn72foA33Rx3Nqm1uNK2D4tDjFwLbk/edit#slide=id.p5

French Resources

·         Tony Parker speaking about basketball in French  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xMeAMctZMM

·         All You Need to Know About “Tout” – video in English explaining tout, tous, tout le monde, tous les jours, tous les ans, etc. by Comme une Française. YouTube video 5:49 minutes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKRxKIaycwA

Spanish Resources

·         The LiveBinder “Spanish & World Languages Teaching Resources: A digital Library.”  at http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/693296 is created by Dr. Claudia Lorrotta. This massive assortment of resources will so many resources! Please explore: speaking skills, writing skills, listening skills, digital storytelling, reading skills, vocabulary and grammar skills, integrated skills, AP Spanish, Interculturalidad, Curriculum, Assessment, Approaches, Flipped Classrooms, Teaching Resources, Professional Development, Mobile Apps, Classroom Management, Web 2.0, Movie and Video Collections, MOOCS, Infographics, Authentic Resources, Presentational Skills, Bilingual Education. Thanks to Secondary Ed Director Brad Breedlove for finding this resource.

·         Spanish 1 – Felicidad es moverse, moverse es felicidad for present  progressive  practice  You Tube video with song 'Estoy feliz porque estoy ...corriendo, pintando, patinando, bailando, etc.' Good for studying the present progressive. (0:59 mins. - español) Gracias a Amanda Mancilla CATA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc1I13sbKXo

·         Spanish 2 Comparisons of Equality – Mary K Thomas of Piedmont HS created the following activity to help her students learn how to compare things that are ‘equal’ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PGUdh99MwHHEV6BMUcokEfA6PLM1S46FGHjYfW8dOu8/edit It is saved at http://bit.ly/UCPSWLGSites under Spanish 2.

·         Spanish 2 Videoclip Esta es María This excellent one minute video was made by John Mateo Tiller and Mary K Thomas at Piedmont HS to help prepare their Spanish students for listening, taking notes, comparing another person to themselves, writing up such a comparison, recording such a comparison. https://drive.google.com/a/ucps.k12.nc.us/file/d/0B2tXorOC0KvuOWNEZldjMENRakk/view?ts=56e71488

·         Coca-cola: Y si nos levantamos? YouTube video (1:41 mins. - español) En esta edición vemos la nueva campaña de Coca-Cola contra el sobrepeso: ¿Y si nos levantamos?. Temas: ¿Crees que hay relación entre el consumo de refrescos  azucarados y la obesidad?, Salud, verbos reflexivos (“siéntate”, “os quedáis”, “nos levantamos”, “os levantáis”), vosotros (“salís”, “conquistaros”, etc.) from Zachary Jones. Gracias a Amanda Mancilla CATA.   http://zachary-jones.com/zambombazo/espacio-publicitario-coca-cola-y-si-nos-levantamos/

·         Los Jets: Playing for the American Dream. In a small southern city, a group of "outsiders" will show the world what it means to be a champion. This is the real story of Los Jets -- a North Carolina high school soccer team made up almost entirely of young Latino men whose parents immigrated here in search of a better life. Some of whom are still waiting for that dream to truly be theirs. Follow their journey to compete to win the state championship as they defy odds, face adversity, experience defeat, and taste victory on and off the field. The film has been divided into 33 videoclips from one to four minutes on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDVFxxuhEDfZDvcUYi-Ld8S_ZUyZ8onXa