December 2020

This Month's Highlights

Coronavirus: Multilingual Resources for Schools

These resources can help schools and communities partner more effectively with multilingual families by providing information about the COVID-19 virus in multiple formats.

Teaching in the Time of COVID-19: Reassessing How to Keep Students Safe, Well and Engaged

As part of the American Federation of Teachers' ongoing commitment to provide information and resources to help educators meet the needs of students during the pandemic, Share My Lesson has produced a webinar with AFT President Randi Weingarten for continued discussions on the challenges created by COVID. Panelists discuss the latest information about COVID-19 and its transmission in schools, as well as tips from practitioners and other experts on how to ensure students are engaged in deep and meaningful learning — whether it’s in-person, hybrid or distance learning.

One of the panelists includes ELL educator Melissa Labossiere, a talent development coordinator for the Pawtucket (R.I.) School Department.

New on Colorín Colorado

How Administrators Can Support ELLs Through COVID-19

This section offers building and district leaders ideas on how to support ELL success and partner effectively with ELL families during COVID-19. It also includes related resources for further exploration.

Kellie Jones: How We Can Support Each Other During COVID-19

In this interview with Colorín Colorado, Kellie Jones, Director of Bilingual Education in Brockton, MA, talks about her department is supporting each other during COVID-19:

• Why we call ourselves penguins


• We are able to make a difference during a crisis


• We all need to take care of each other

Stay tuned for more videos from Kellie soon!

Ideas for Instruction

Guide: Distance Learning for ELLs

This guide by Kristina Robertson shares ideas on teaching ELLs via distance learning, tools that can increase language production, and lessons learned about communicating with multilingual families during COVID-19.

SupportEd: What I Know About My EL w/ Google Slides Update

SupportEd has introduced a Google Slides template version of their original “What I Know About My EL” tool (adapted from Unlocking English Learners’ Potential).

For more ideas on using this tool, see 10 Things You Need to Know About Your ELs from Colorín Colorado.

Parent Resources and Outreach

New! Special Education and Your Child: FAQs for Multilingual Families

This bilingual tip sheet for families answers basic questions about special education and includes information about language access. This resource was produced in partnership with the National Education Association.

Communicating with ELL Families During COVID-19: 10 Strategies for Schools

Learn how schools can successfully stay in touch with ELLs and their families during this uncertain time and what administrators can do to support that outreach. This article also includes multiple tools, resources, and tips for collaboration.

Recommended Resources

Migration Policy Institute

The Migration Policy Institute has recently produced a number of helpful resources related to the education of ELLs during COVID-19:

Articles

• COVID-19 Spotlights the Inequities Facing English Learner Students, as Nonprofit Organizations Seek to Mitigate Challenges

Webinars

• Centering English Learners in Schools’ Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic


• Lessons from the Pandemic: Weaknesses in K-12 Teacher Education Policies Fuel Inequities Facing English Learners

Books and Authors

When Stars Are Scattered

By: Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

2020 National Book Award Finalist

“Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed's poignant When Stars Are Scattered follows Omar and his nonverbal younger brother, Hassan, as they grow up in the Kenyan refugee camp of Dadaab. Alongside depicting the day-to-day hardships and enduring traumas the boys face, the story powerfully portrays the deep love and compassion that sustains their community. Devastating, humorous, frustrating, and hopeful, this intimate and stunningly illustrated memoir expands our empathy for all those yearning for a new beginning.” – National Book Award Judges’ Citation

Today is #GivingTuesday!