Myriad Education

Working with English Learners 

This session is an ideal starting place for school staff who starting out in learning about multilingual learners. It also works nicely as an annual refresher for instructor requirements such as providing instructional modifications and accommodations. 

• Time: 3 hours (can be adjusted to 2h)

• Topics: understanding language assessment (such as WIDA) scores, deepening knowledge about the demands of academic langauge, and matching student data to instructional strategies 

• Learner focus: newcomer and non-newcomer students 

Modifying for Multilingual Learners 

An ideal staring place for sheltered or other content-area teachers who are learning how to make instructional adjustments for newcomer and non-newcomer students in class; session focus is on creating scaffolds for students completing an assignment, assessment or text 

• Time: 3 hours (can be adjusted to 2h)

• Topics: building background/ L1 preview, engaging visuals, adapting text and more  

• Learner focus: newcomer and non-newcomer students 

Byte-Sized Tools: How AI Can Support Multilingual Learners

Artificial Intelligence tools can be great time savers, but did you know that these can be particularly good at supporting EL students? This session showcases how content-area and/or ESL educators can use AI to support both understanding and use of academic English for multilingual learners in any classroom

• Time: 2-3 hours 

• Topics: general best practices for using AI; using AI for comprehensible input and instructional modifications; AI tools that can help create more engaging lessons and assist students in practicing academic language 

• Learner focus: newcomer and non-newcomer students 

Beyond the ecto containment unit: Supporting newcomers with L1 tools

A student’s’ native language (L1) is a huge instructional asset; however, it's normal for teachers to feel unsure about how to integrate students’ L1 into daily instruction, especially if they don’t speak the language themselves. Strap on your Proton Pack; we are going to bust those ghosts together! This session is for content-area or mainstream teachers wanting to tap into a whole new dimension of student strength: their L1!

• Time: 2-3 hours 

• Topics: instructional strategies and routines for utilizing students’ L1 in daily, English-dominated instruction

• Learner focus: newcomer students 

Yeti to Be Understood: Following the Evidence about Grade Retention 

Who else dreads those abominable grade retention conversations every spring? Grade retention is a perennial issue in elementary schools around the country but, like chasing Sasquatch through the hills of Oklahoma, many educators still feel unclear and uncertain about the best pathway for students, especially when it comes to multilingual learners. This session is meant for teachers, admin or any other school staff.

• Time: 2 hours 

• Topics:  research and best practices around retention for all students, and specifically for ELs

• Learner focus: newcomer students 

PropEL Series

A two-day institute for mainstream/content-area and ELD teachers covering basics of working with English learners, strategies/ best practices, and hands-on practice 

• Time: 12 hours of content + lunch breaks (2 days)  

• Topics (can be broken up into smaller sessions): building background, language-rich classrooms, comprehensible input, instructional modifications and testing accommodations

• Learner focus: newcomer and non-newcomer students 

Games for English Learners

Games are a great way to decrease student anxiety while we increase learning and fun! Join us to learn about games that can be adapted to any core or ELD classroom. We will sneak in some research, but you might be too busy having fun to notice! 

• Time: 3 hours 

• Topics: games for practicing academic langauge, engagement and for deepening content knowledge 

• Learner focus: newcomer and non-newcomer students

Spreadsheet Paleontologists

Is your data analysis process a tyrannosaurus wreck? Too often, we are data rich, but information poor. Join us to learn how to sift through your school/district data to unearth a treasure trove of information which can be used to guide programming and instruction. 

This data dig will walk teachers or administrators through their own data to uncover how data can be mined in a meaningful way. Participants will reflect on data and backward plan ways to address strengths and weaknesses. 

• Time: 2-3 hours 

• Learner focus: newcomer and non-newcomer students

Spreadsheet Paleontologists: Train-the-Trainer  

Administrators, instructional coaches, or lead teachers prepare to deliver their own data digs (as described above) for various sites. 

• Time: varies; half day minimum