It’s a good day when you get to organize, present and attend the CAL-SIM conference. Great opportunity to share with educators the positive results I have had implementing SIM routines and strategies in my classroom. Learned a new punctuation program to use with my EL students.

Very informative workshop led by Dr. Ellen Braaten on understanding slow processing speed and helping students maneuver a fast paced world. Thankful to learn about the latest neuroscience findings to tailor my instruction to all types of learners.

The students’ and teacher’s cultures have become the culture of our classroom. We took the time to know about one another to better understand and respect one another. Posters and food from our backgrounds. ☥

First time doing a Blackout Poetry project with my EL students. They collaborated, exchanged ideas, used their critical thinking skills and creativity. I loved watching this project come to life. Hillside Academy Thank you Emily Guthrie (she/her) for sharing your idea

My students have their One Word for semester 1 displayed. We keep on referring to them when we discuss goals and intentions. Hillside Academy

I can’t wait to start reading this book recommended by Kelly Gallagher.

One-pagers made by my EL students on Indian tribes for Native American heritage month. They researched their history, traditions, lifestyles and beliefs. Hillside Academy

My students started the second semester with positive I am statements. Hillside Academy

I am so proud of these two students: they got reclassified and while I miss them in my ELD Support class, I still have the opportunity to see them grow in my English class. They have worked so hard to be where they are. Hillside Academy

I am so thankful that I got to go to this amazing workshop. The tools and resources I got were exactly what I needed to design meaningful ELPAC learning tasks for my ELs. Thank you Aimee Boian Layton Spracklen Hillside Academy

When students become journalists...

Our essential questions: how do you define ‘culture’? How are we shaped by our culture? My newcomers taught me about theirs and went beyond my expectations. They created and then presented. What an amazing group of kids. Hillside Academy

Pear Deck question: I tried it for the first time today using the vocabulary factory. The problem was that while I assigned three terms, the students only got two. Did I forget to do something? Pear Deck Learning

Attended Verity Olliff (she/her/hers) session this morning on PearDeck as a writing platform and Emily Guthrie (she/her) session on digital portfolios. As always, I learned so much from these amazing educators. Thankful to Gold Coast CUE for this learning opportunity.

Inspired by Verity Olliff (she/her/hers) and Dr. Catlin Tucker I used Pear Deck for some thesis throwdown activities with my students. I loved the immediate feedback it gave me and the students enjoyed the collaboration time they had while using a different tool.

I am beyond delighted to be offering the first of four parent workshops to our EL families on 09/30 at 5:30pm. The focus will be on parents helping their child at home on their learning journey & build a sense of community & belonging within these amazing families. Hillside Academy

I am excited to be hosting the second in the series of workshops for our EL families this Wednesday, November 17th at 5pm. The focus of our conversations this time will be on how parents can help their child(ren) reach their academic goals. Hillside Academy

I will have my third EL parent workshop on 01/13/2022 at 5pm. Families will learn test-taking strategies that can help their child with the ELPAC and information on the reclassification criteria students must meet to exit the EL program. Looking forward to it! Hillside Academy

For my first EL parent workshop (year 2022-2023) I focused on helping families navigate the different platforms we use and sharing homework and organization strategies. But #1 priority: connecting with them and listening to their needs. Hillside Academy

What is the ELPAC? How can you prepare for it? What role does it play in the reclassification process of an EL student? What does it mean to be reclassified? Please join us for another EL parent workshop on Thursday, January 19th at 5pm in room 206, Hillside Academy. See you there!