In an effort to share an understanding of virtual learning resources and provide some additional perspective for parents and our broader community, I have started a three-part series on how virtual learning is transforming teaching, learning, and life at home. This will be shared in Andrew’s Head of School Notes starting today. The theme of this first thought piece, The Opportunity Before Us, is encouragement with the intent of addressing three key areas:
- Acknowledge a hard situation
- Praise for the AISC teachers, students, and parents
- Provide hope for the future
Please give it a read! If my thoughts generate any ideas, questions, or concerns, please reach out. I'd love to have more community thought partners around virtual schooling. The second of the series will be available next Friday.
Parenting Teens in Virtual Learning
Nigel made this video on parenting teens is this virtual learning environment. See the video here or the AISC Continuity of Instruction Virtual Learning web page.
Professional Learning and Development
To make it easier for you to update your individual Professional Development and Learning Transcript, see the LINK HERE for a complete list of 2019-2020 AISC Professional Learning and Development Opportunities.
Follow these step to have an individualized, signed AISC PLD Transcript:
- Make a copy of the 2019-2020 AISC PLD Opportunities
- Individualize the list including which of the AISC PDL events in which you specifically participated
- Include the number of hours per event. Example: Adaptive Schools--40 HOURS
- Share it with me with your name on the list
- I will have it printed on letterhead, stamped, and signed
- You pick it up at the DTL Office
This is a great way to stay up to date on your continuing education recertification hours. Please submit all requests for transcripts by 8:00 AM on June 1 for a signature. Those received after June 1, can pick up transcripts at the start of next year.
EAL Shout-out!
As we know, AISC is a multilingual campus with multilingual learners. And what a wonderful thing to celebrate! Students are using all resources necessary to be successful. This includes home language, non-English text books & websites, and each other. If we are truly to embrace translanguaging practices, we should consider the following:
- Allow students to turn in assignments in multiple languages, especially beginners. If our ultimate goal is for students to learn content, does it really matter which language they use to absorb information?
- Have students present to each other in their home language. This will give our monolingual students the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a language learner.
- Let students paraphrase or recreate your Screencastify videos in their home language. Not only do these activities help students understand what is expected of them, it also gives teachers a little insight into our students’ thinking.
Please note: these are activity suggestions, not for items we assess. As you know, English is the medium of instruction and assessment at AISC. Allowing more flexibility in a student’s journey from instruction to assessment may decrease the stress of learning language and content simultaneously, especially during this time of virtual schooling.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay happy. Drop me a line if I can help with anything!
Peace-
Sarah
ssarah@aischennai.org
EAL Strategy Talks
We are well underway! Many thanks to all who have attended. As you all know, these sessions are on a Tuesday morning, 7:30-8:15am, and everyone is welcome:
19 May: Error correction when impeding comprehension - ZOOM
Professional Growth and Evaluation Deadlines
See above statement for modified Spring 2020 PG & E update
Professional Learning Opportunities
Global Online Academy DESIGN BOOTCAMP June 15 - 19, 2020 Interested?, complete this indication of interest by May 11. This is an invitation to participate, not an expectation.
TCRWP is pleased to offer a series of virtual professional development offerings for the upcoming months for educators and families: live 2-3 day institutes, live one-day courses, and pre-recorded courses. LINK HERE for the brochure of offerings. Interested, complete this indication of interest by May 11.
The Inquiry Educators Summit, May 16-17 ONLINE The largest virtual gathering of inquiry-focused educators from around the world! Registration is free!
Chapters International Workshops
Alan November, May 2 2020 Webinar on Feeling Connected While Maintaining High Expectations Free Webinar!
Knowledge Source Institute Upcoming Workshops
The Second Language Digital Literacies Symposium (L2DL), hosted by the University of Arizona and their Center for Educational Resources in Culture, Language and Literacy (CERCLL) is accepting proposals for presentation LINK HERE for more information on innovative pedagogies, virtual learning and exchanges, translanguaging, and digital literacies for language development.
Wellness at AISC
All the information on Faculty Wellness from our Wellness Coordinator, Keeley Tagtmeyer, click HERE for AISC WELLNESS MATTERS BLOG to stay updated. We have lots of exciting events planned so be sure to check in!
Worthwhile Reading
A few articles that have influenced my thought piece, please take a look at the resources below:
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