Teacher Resources

September- If you have an English Learner (EL) in your classroom, the ESL staff is here to support you. For communication with students and families, translation is available through Google Translate, Say Hi App, and Talking Points. We can help you with any of these resources.

Sign-up for a free Talking Points account at www.Talkingpts.org.

During these first weeks of school, ESL teachers are reviewing records of newly registered students, administering WIDA Screener Tests to determine student LIEP status, and meeting with Current ELs. 

We are happy to support you as you warmly welcome these students into your class.

October- Just like a house needs a strong foundation as it’s being built, second language students need the same.  This strong foundation can be found in their home language.   According to experts, we can create strong bridges to new learning, when we tap into student’s home language.

At parent teacher conferences this year, consider encouraging the parents of second language students to do the following:

• Talk about their child’s day in their home language
• Discuss homework topics in the home language
• Continue to read books to their child in their home language

November- Please touch base with your ESL teacher before conferences regarding your families who are speakers of other languages. The ESL Teacher can have the report card translated before the conference and make phone translation available during the conference.

December- Do you know these acronyms?

• LIEP-Language Instruction Educational Program.
  • Use LIEP when referring to the Program.
• EL-English Learner.
  • Use EL when referring to the student.
• ESL-English as a Second Language.
  • Use ESL when referring to the teacher.

January- The WIDA Access assessment begins in January and is administered overe the course of several week to all ELs. There are four sections to the assessment: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Students who score well on this assessment are considered for Reclassification for the following school year. It is required by the state that all EL test.

February-

March- Looking for a way to connect with your English Learners? Why not check out CultureGrams on Clever Portal. The app is located under the Library Media Center. No password is necessary, however, if you are prompted for a username and password, hover over the “?” on the app and login information will appear. CultureGrams will help you locate cultural information on more than 200 countries, its people, and customs. The knowledge can be used for getting to know our ELs, planning social studies lessons, and even for family consumer science. We hope the content will spark activities and conversation between you and your students.

April- Have a discussion with your ESL teacher regarding PSSA Accommodations for your EL. Did you know that first year ELs are not required to take the English Language Arts assessment? However, they must test in Math and Science (Gr 4 and 8).

May- Time to Socialize!

Make sure you have all the information about the End of Year Picnic for ELs. You can’t believe how wonderful the food is-something for most countries around the world.

Check with your ESL Teacher for details of date, time and location. Hope to see your there!

June- WIDA ACCESS results are scheduled to arrive in our schools in early June.

These testing results will be sent home in a summer mailing.

For Parkland ELs, WIDA tests are the main criteria used to evaluate LIEP placement level and instructional plan.  These results, in conjunction with classroom performance rubrics, are also used to determine possible exit from the LIEP program. Reclassification of current students must be determined prior to October 1 and is the only time of the year a student can be reclassified. As part of this process, teachers are asked to complete Language rubrics for each of their ELs.

Parents will be notified of testing results and any changes to their child’s program during the summer.