418+Agenda+4.30.12

4:30 - 4:35 - Welcome and Good News

4:35 - 5:00 - Review of AL-infused lesson plans >
 * https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_5qy4V11bb_YG3xFV3XLMvfMdnzOsaPOjZaK-XCs1sw/edit

5:00 - 5:15 - Discuss final exam period


 * Class session during Finals Week (May 7 - 8-10 p.m.)**
 * For the final session:**
 * 1) Please bring a printed, professional cover letter which is also copied onto Google Docs
 * 2) Be prepared to answer any of the four interview questions drawing on course content and your professional knowledge

__**The Scenario**__ __**Your task:**__
 * Suppose you want to apply for a job teaching in Garden School District, a school district that is experiencing an influx of immigrant students and is under pressure to raise students' test scores in literacy. This is the job description
 * Growing school district with a diverse student population is seeking middle and high school teachers in all subject areas. Preferred applicants will possess the following qualifications:
 * Strong expertise and appropriate certification to teach the subject
 * Demonstrated ability to excel in all the responsibilities of teaching: planning, assessing, and delivering instruction using a variety of approaches to engage and reach diverse learners
 * Professional knowledge regarding how to support student literacy and academic language development in all subject areas and a willingness to do so
 * The ability and desire to work with English Language Learners and adapt instruction accordingly
 * Write a 1-2 page cover letter addressed to Kathy Jones (director of curriculum for Garden District) describing your interest and qualifications for the job. (You can make up the address.) (Bring the letter to the final class period and post on GoogleDocs.)
 * Interview Questions - Be prepared to provide a solid answer each of these questions. You will randomly choose 1-2 of these questions to answer in a mock interview.
 * In most of our classes, there are 3-5 English learners. How will you incorporate them in your classes and design instruction in a way that they can understand, participate, and learn?
 * In our district, supporting literacy and academic language development is **everyone's** job. How would you contribute to this effort in your classroom?
 * What would you do if you encountered a student who seemed to really struggle with reading?
 * What opportunities will students have to write in your class? How will you structure these tasks?

__**Additional Information**__ Contents of a cover letter:
 * //Cover Letter// **
 * 1) Brief statement indicating what job you are applying for
 * 2) 2-3 paragraphs highlighting particular strengths you bring to this particular position (formula - statement of strength related to the particular position + concrete example + restatement of strength) Be as specific as possible - avoid general, cliche statements. Through your examples and illustrations, demonstrate how you would actually be as a teacher.
 * 3) Closing - how you can be contacted and your hope for next steps
 * 4) The letter should be 1-2 pages

From Boston College: "While your resume presents your background in chronological form, your cover letter offers you the opportunity to draw your readers' attention to a couple of your main strengths (preferably as they relate to the expressed philosophy or needs of the district, though often it is difficult to make such a direct link). The best cover letters use specifics to back up general statements. These specifics can reflect your unique experiences in the classroom and the strengths they represent . . . The point is that your cover letter should emphasize your strengths as a teacher, which are most effectively demonstrated through positive, concrete examples." http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/resourcesfor/soeresources/edcover.html

[|Sample Cover Letter]

//Grading Criteria for the Cover Letter//
 * 1) Clearly and succinctly communicates your commitment and ability to engage your students to a) support literacy, b) promote academic language development, and c) to adapt instruction appropriately for English Language Learners
 * 2) Includes specific, concrete examples to portray how you would incorporate literacy, AL, and ELLs in your content area classes
 * 3) The content of the letter reflects accurate understanding of key concepts from the course
 * 4) Is professional and free from grammar/spelling errors

**//Interview//**

//Grading Criteria for the Interview//
 * 1) Response to the question conveys accurate and thorough understanding of relevant course concepts
 * 2) Response is specific and illustrated with reasonable and relevant examples
 * 3) Professional tone and language; response is respectful of students and potential colleagues

Working with ELLs - Review



5:15 - 6:00 - L2 Reading Simulation; Review of key principles & useful strategies for working with English Language Learners

6:00 - 6:30 - Working with parents and families of ELLs

6:30 - 7:00 - 21st Century Tech Tools for Working with ELLs http://languagelinks2006.wikispaces.com/21st+Century+Technologies