January 2016

Welcome to the monthly E-News for the Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN), located at OCM BOCES in Syracuse, NY. Please share this information with colleagues in the field. You can also send us items that you'd like us to include in next month's E-News. Mid-State RBERN can be reached at:

• Phone number: 315-433-2664
• Fax number: 315-431-8449
• Email: rbern@ocmboces.org
• Website: http://rbern.ocmboces.org

Thank you for your interest in the education of New York's English Language Learners.

Up and Coming Events

NYSESLAT:
Targets of Measurement & Performance Level Descriptors
Jan. 21 & Feb. 2, 2016, OCM BOCES Costello Center;
Feb. 5, 2016, TST BOCES;
Feb. 10, 2016, GST BOCES

This workshop engages participants in a variety of activities all geared toward deeper understandings of constructs that impact the NYSESLAT assessment and, therefore, instruction for ELLs. This will be accomplished through information sharing, work in dyads, collaborative reflection, whole group and small group work. Participants will examine a piece of expository text, identify and compare content vs. linguistic demands, and connect them to the ToM’s through crafted questions. Participants will additionally craft their own NYSESLAT type questions that connect to the ToMs.

NYSESLAT Train the Trainer
March 21 & 22, 2016 - Batavia, NY

MetriTech, Inc., and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) will be providing a turnkey training session in for Central New York State. Each training session will occur over the course of two days and is scheduled for March 21 - 22, 2016 at the Clarion in Batavia, NY. To request a registration form please contact Mid-West RBERN at 585-344-0238. Registration deadline is March 4, 2016.

Reading to Learn Science MOOC
January 13 - April 13, 2016

This is a free online course offered by Stanford University, Understanding Language. The course will examine the selection of useful science texts; see specific strategies for supporting student comprehension before, during, and after reading; learn how to recognize the unique challenges posed by science texts and how to help students overcome them; and acquire the skills to foster productive discussion around scientific ideas and texts.

The Many Faces of Newcomers, NYSED Teacher’s Institute 2016 Friday, February 26, 2016 8:30 - 3:30 at Salvatore’s Italian Garden, 6461 Transit Rd, Depew, NY 14043. 716-683-7990. Cost $50

Includes continental breakfast, lunch and book; Making the Transition by Helaine Marshall, Ph.D. Deadline to register: Monday, February, 15, 2016. No on-site registration.

TESOL International Convention, 2016: Reflecting Forward
April 5 - 8, Baltimore, Md.

Speakers will include Aziz Abu Savah, Dr. Andy Curtis, Dr. Jeanette Altarriba, and Dr. Anne Curzan.

Articles and Topics of Note about ELLs:

• NYSESLAT Webinettes
• Six Strategies for Teaching ELLs Across the Content Areas
• Apps for Diverse English Language Learners
• English Learner Toolkit
• Academic Language Function Kit
• International Children’s’ Digital Library

Resource Spotlight:

• Colorin Colorado ELL News Headlines
• Education Week: Learning the Language Blog
• Northern ESL PLC
• Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
• Language Magazine

Don’t forget to visit the RBERN library to check out books and other resources. We even have iPads we can loan out for you to pilot in your classroom.

Check out Mid-State RBERN’s blog! Here’s the ISS Blog and here are the Mid-State RBERN entries. Please let us know what you think!