Eight Ways to Use Video With English-Language Learners

By Larry Ferlazzo

We can think of far worse things a student might say to us, and John's comment demonstrates our perspective on using video with English-Language Learners (and, for that matter, with all students) -- research (5) and our experience show that it can be a very effective learning tool, but it has to be used as an active one. The word "active" comes from the Latin "actus," which means "a doing, a driving." Here are some strategies for using video with ELLs that reflect those words and avoid the danger of just sitting back and watching the screen. The activities we present connect to multiple Common Core Standards including the following "Anchor Standards" (6) for ELA Grades 6-12:

• Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
  
• Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
  

  
   

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Tools for Teaching: Managing a Large Class Size

By Rebecca Alber

Do you have more students than ever this year? With serious education budget cuts in most states, we are seeing class size reduction programs as a thing of the past in many schools. Teachers semi-new to this profession may be experiencing class sizes above 30 for the first time. In a recent conversation with such a teacher, as we discussed her new situation, she resignedly said, "Well, there goes group work."

This conversation, and several conversations with others, got me thinking about this sudden change for many teachers. If you've found yourself with a large class size this year, here are a few things to keep in mind…

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California Adopting Controversial Algebra Changes To Align With Common Core.

Education Week (10/25, Robelen) reports that a new law in California changes "teaching Algebra 1 in 8th grade," noting that the measure "has been the subject of considerable debate. State officials say it aims to help clear up confusion among school districts about state expectations in the 8th grade with the Common Core State Standards, but critics contend that it will effectively end the state's long-standing embrace of Algebra 1 at that grade level. At issue are additions the state made before adopting the common core, essentially approving two sets of 8th grade math standards."

Colorado District Working To Help Teachers Integrate Classroom Technology

The Boulder (CO) Daily Camera (10/23, Bounds) reports that the school district in Boulder Valley, Colorado, "has three people assigned to help teachers at 55 schools figure out how to integrate technology into their classrooms. Looking for a better way to use limited resources, a committee of teachers, principals and community members spent a year developing a vision and researching programs in school districts nationwide." The panel chose a system in which "small groups of teachers will receive extensive training and then serve as mentors to other teachers in their schools."

Presidential Foreign Policy Debate Touches On Teacher Hiring

The Huffington Post (10/23, Resmovits) reports, "Much to the chagrin of moderator Bob Schieffer, Monday night's presidential debate took a decidedly domestic turn," when President Obama "took the opportunity to lace into Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney on teacher hiring" and its impact on the economy. "This dispute dates back to the last few months. The Republican presidential candidate mocked Obama in June for proposing the hiring of more public sector employees." A brief Washington Post (10/22, Matthews) blog posting on the debate notes that "Obama attacked Romney for his comments dismissing the importance of small class sizes. And there's some grounds for that – Raj Chetty has found that students in small kindergarten classes make hundreds of thousands more in their lifetimes than students in larger classes. But it's worth noting that the Obama administration has diminished the role of class size too, with Arne Duncan stating, 'Class size has been a sacred cow and I think we need to take it on.'"

Apple Unveiling Smaller iPad, Seeking Solid Grip On Education Sector

Noting that California's San Diego Unified School District has purchased over 25,000 iPad tablets for classroom use, Bloomberg News (10/23, Satariano) reports that many districts nationwide may be drawn to the price point of the "new, smaller version of the iPad that Apple will unveil tomorrow at an event in San Jose, California. Apple has long been a leader in education, and schools began embracing the iPad soon after its 2010 debut. Yet as fiscal budget shortfalls crimp spending all the more, schools in growing numbers are warming to the handheld devices as an alternative to more expensive laptops." This version, according to Balclays Plc, could cost $249, as compared with the $499 to $829 price tag for currently marketed versions.

Columnist: High-Stakes Testing Benefits Lower-Income Students

In a New York Post (10/22) column, Naomi Schaefer Riley writes that affluent parents in New York City are protesting "this week's 40-minute field tests in math and English" and other high-stakes testing, "which they see as a distraction from the real education their children could be receiving. They actually have a point - but then, the testing isn't really about their kids. High-stakes testing has been shown to offer clear benefits - particularly to lower-income students."

California Parents Consider Suing District Over Free Yoga Classes

The AP (10/23) reports that a group of parents in Encinitas, California, are considering suing the local school district over its free yoga classes, "fearing they are indoctrinating youngsters in eastern religion." The AP quotes attorney Dean Broyles saying, "There's a deep concern that the Encinitas Union School District is using taxpayer resources to promote Ashtanga yoga and Hinduism, a religion system of beliefs and practices."

 

The North County (CA) Times (10/23) reports that Broyles, in a letter to Superintendent Tim Baird, "called the program unconstitutional and warned that he may initiate 'a legal course of action' if the district doesn't end it. Broyles declined last week to discuss what the group has in mind, but said it's considering all legal options. ... District officials say that they have stripped any semblance of religion from the classes, but some parents are worried that that may not be true."

Racially Distinct Florida Achievement Targets Spark Controversy

Racially Distinct Florida Achievement Targets Spark Controversy.

The Orlando (FL) Sentinel (10/20, Postal) reports that since the Florida Board of Education voted to adopt "reading and math goals for students that varied by race, among other categories," the state "has been embroiled in a debate about the message sent by its new race-based academic targets, which are lower for black and Hispanic students than for other children. ... The goals are meant to a be a midpoint on a path to getting all kids mastering key academics, and they would require a faster pace of improvement for struggling students to help them catch up. But that intent was likely lost in the 'resounding negative perception,' said Orange Superintendent Barbara Jenkins in an email."

 

Paper Praises Governor For Seeking Equal Standards.An editorial in the Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal (10/20) praises Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) for saying last week that "he will not tolerate any excuse for an achievement gap at public schools. Not race, not gender, not income level. Scott wants no such excuses from the State Board of Education." The piece explains that Scott's comments come in response to the State Board of Education's plan to implement different achievement targets for different racial and socio-economic groups under the state's NCLB flexibility.

 

More Commentary.In commentary for The Root (10/22, Toldson) , Dr. Ivory A. Toldson of Howard University writes about the "controversial and misguided proposals" in Florida and Virginia to "close the 'achievement gap' by setting different performance standards for black and white students. These demonstrate a dreadfully shortsighted assessment of race and achievement in the United States."

Iowa Zoo Uses Skype To Reach Rural Students

Iowa Zoo Uses Skype To Reach Rural Students.

The Des Moines (IA) Register (10/19, Santana) reports on a program at which Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa, recently used online communication app Skype to "present to students sitting in a classroom more than 100 miles away" in rural parts of the state. The Register notes that the zoo's manager of education, Daniela Graham, "said the zoo would consider following up last Tuesday's virtual field trip with other schools."

Pennsylvania Superintendents Urge State Legislature To Drop Charter Bill

The Delaware County (PA) Daily Times (10/18, Puglionesi) reports that a group of fifteen district superintendents in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, have written to the state legislature "requesting changes to proposed charter school legislation in Senate Bill 1115, under consideration by Pennsylvania legislators this week. ... The letter of Oct. 12 states that as proposed, SB115 'reinforces a blatant disregard for the equitable treatment of constituent school districts.' A bullet-point list of grievances primarily concern local control and representation, transparency and funding issues the legislation potentially creates."

Florida Officials Defend Racial Differences In Post-Waiver Assessments.

The New York Times (10/18, Alvarez, Subscription Publication) reports on the lingering controversy surrounding Florida education officials' decision to "set different goals for student achievement in reading and math by race and ethnicity" under the state's NCLB waiver, noting that the "move was widely criticized as discriminatory and harmful to blacks and Hispanics. But the state, which has been required to categorize achievement by racial, ethnic and other groups to the federal government for more than 10 years, intends to stand by its new strategic plan. Education officials say the targets, set for 2018, have been largely misunderstood." The Times explains that Florida officials say that the goal of the policy is to reduce the achievement gap.

Most States Vary Benchmarks By Race.

CNN (10/18, Martin, Valencia) reports on its "Schools of Thought" blog that "civil rights groups and some parents are concerned that new proficiency targets in several states are selling African-American students short." The piece notes that Florida is among the "majority of US states and the District of Columbia" which "have set up different benchmarks for different groups, including racial and ethnic student populations." CNN adds that though it may seem like this is a case of less being expected of some classes of students, they are a reaction to the implausibility of NCLB's 100% proficiency mandate. "But the new benchmarks have been met with outrage from parents and civil rights groups, particularly in Florida, Virginia and DC."

Amazon Announces Initiative To Compete With iPad In Schools

Reuters (10/18, Barr) reports that Amazon has announced a push to enter into the classroom technology market with its Kindle e-readers and tablets, competing in a realm that has heretofore been dominated by Apple's iPad. Amazon unveiled a device content management service called Whispercast this week, Reuters reports, noting that the move is part of Amazon's push to sell devices at cost to profit from subsequent content sales.

Group Raising Funds To Invest In Blended Learning Research

KQED San Francisco (10/18, Schwartz) reports that Silicon Solutions, a new non-profit organization, is looking to raise $25 million to invest in research into blended learning. "With partial grants from the Bay Area's Fisher family (owners of Gap), and the advice of board members Michael Horn from the Innosight Institute and Salman Khan of the Khan Academy, the nonprofit, which has raised $12 million so far, aims to fund new and innovative approaches in existing blended learning programs with grants to each school. ... The movement is in its infancy. There is no blended-learning canon that can be taught to teachers - they are the ones who need to write the playbook."

Mathews Considers Common Core's Increased Emphasis On Informational Text

In his Washington Post (10/18) column, Jay Mathews writes that the Common Core Standards are intended to improve stagnant literacy rates among US students, and notes that they focus more on nonfiction text than do most prior curricula. However, "many English teachers don't think it will do any good. Even if it were a good idea, they say, those who have to make the change have not had enough training to succeed - an old story in school reform." Mathews focuses on the controversy surrounding the shift.