Welcome to
the monthly
E-News for
the Mid-State
Regional
Bilingual
Education
Resource Network (RBE-RN),
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: 315-431-8585
• Email: rbern@ocmboces.org
• Website: http://rbern.ocmboces.org

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

December 2016

OBE-WL News

• Parent Guide to Understanding the NYSESLAT Score Report

Dear Colleagues:
This month’s topic is: Holidays and Celebrations

In the United States, December holds some of our biggest holidays. With Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all in December, it’s the month of celebration! Did you know though, that in Islamic culture the Prophet’s Birthday is in December? It’s a day when those of the Muslim religion celebrate the life of their Prophet Muhammad. December also holds the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a celebration popular among those of Mexican heritage. Just like in the United States, countries around the world have holidays and celebrations special to their culture, country, and religions. By showing an interest in our ELL students holidays and celebrations, and allowing them to share it with the class, can create a welcoming environment and sense of community for ELLs. To find out which holidays are celebrated where and when click here. Then just click on the country your student is from.

Upcoming Events

• Save the Date! March 14, 2017 - NYSESLAT Training at OCM BOCES Main Campus. Full day for those new to administrating and scoring the test and a half day for those looking to review the test.

RBE-RN Library

Check out books and other resources. We even have iPads to loan for you to pilot in your classroom.

This month's book highlights:  Rethinking Multicultural Education: Teaching for Racial & Cultural Justice, 2nd Edition by Wayne Au.

This new and expanded edition collects the best articles dealing with race and culture in the classroom that have appeared in Rethinking Schools magazine. Moving beyond a simplistic focus on heroes and holidays, and foods and festivals, Rethinking Multicultural Education demonstrates a powerful vision of anti-racist, social justice education. Practical, rich in story, and analytically sharp, Rethinking Multicultural Education reclaims multicultural education as part of a larger struggle for justice and against racism, colonization, and cultural oppression in schools and society.

To find this book, do an enhanced search at the RBE-RN Library by author or title.

Resource Spotlight

• Cultural Diversity Booklist An extensive list sorted by topics, such as, Holidays & Festivals, Biography, Nature & Seasons, Sport, etc. 
• Teaching Tolerance This website has a magazine, classroom resources, and publications related to creating a multicultural classroom that respects all cultures, religions, and races.

Content Corner

• Culturally Responsive Instruction for Holiday and Religious Celebrations Tips on how to integrated cultural instruction into the classroom and make it a learning experience for all students.
• Multiculturalism and Diversity Resources, activities, and lesson plans from Scholastic.
• Teaching Culture: Festivals of Light Around the World A couple examples of light festivals with information and student activities for each.
• The Reasons for the Seasons: Making Holiday Activities for ELLs Ideas and strategies for teaching the holidays.

Home Strategies

• Winter Vacation: 10 reading Ideas for Families Some ways to make reading fun during the holidays.
• New Year’s Resolution: Help your Kids do Well in School this Year Find ways to start your child off successfully in 2017.

Newcomer Nook

• Festivals, Celebrations, and Special Days Tons of resources for a wide variety of holidays celebrated around the world, sorted by proficiency level.
• Celebrations & Festivals Find pictures, posters, and banners to help teach and decorate your room for different holidays.

Tech Tips

• http://holidays.pppst.com/index.html Find free PowerPoint presentations and activities on holidays from around the world.

For Administrators

• How Leaders Can Improve Their Schools’ Cultural Competence Strategies to create a school environment that is accepting of all.

ELLs in the News

• Hmong Students Share their New Years Celebration
• Bilingual Education Set to Return to California Schools

References

• Judie Haynes TESOL Blog
• Colorín Colorado ELL News Headlines
• Bridging Refugee Youth & Children’s Services

Coming Next Month

Our topic will be:  Starting the New Year

Check out Mid-State RBERN’s blog!

Check out Mid-State RBERN’s blog!
And the ISS Blog
Please let us know what you think!