Dear ELA Supporter,
Can you believe it is April? And the cherry blossom trees around the capital are in full bloom? As we close out the third week of school closures, we know so many of us are creating a new normal and are looking for ways to connect with students, friends, colleagues, and family members. That is why in between our great resources for continuous student learning and professional learning, we have made a point to provide resources to help us connect with each other.
As Karen Niemi, President & CEO of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) states “This is a moment none of us has experienced and none foresaw. For me personally, it’s been a daily emotional roller-coaster ride. With this immense challenge comes an equally enormous opportunity for all of us to learn from what has happened and to pave a stronger path forward, both as individuals and as a society.”
“Our interconnectedness has never been more clearly on display. We are united in this situation not as a moral imperative, but as a survival imperative. And now is the time to fully express the depths of our social and emotional competence on all fronts. When we apply everything we’ve learned from the science and practice of SEL, we can support our communities and the most vulnerable among us, as well as ourselves.” (Complete Letter)
We hope this ongoing communication from our team to yours, provides all of us with renewed connection and support as we navigate this new normal.
Sincerely, The ELA Team
Cherry Blossoms by Toi Derricotte
I went down to mingle my breath with the breath of the cherry blossoms.
There were photographers: Mothers arranging their children against gnarled old trees; a couple, hugging, asks a passerby to snap them like that, so that their love will always be caught between two friendships: ours & the friendship of the cherry trees.
Oh Cherry, why can't my poems be as beautiful?
A young woman in a fur-trimmed coat sets a card table with linens, candles, a picnic basket & wine. A father tips a boy's wheelchair back so he can gaze up at a branched heaven.
All around us
the blossoms flurry down whispering,
Be patient
you have an ancient beauty.
Be patient,
you have an ancient beauty.
We have five sections of the newsletter:
OSPI Resources For Everyone!: This is our third wave of supporting you and we will continue to refine and add resources over the coming weeks.
Support for Educators, School Staff, Schools and Districts: this section is primarily directed to those currently working in a formal education setting. These resources may be helpful to parents, families, and caregivers.
Support for Parents, Families, and Caregivers: this section is geared toward members of our community who normally don’t teach/facilitate in a formal education setting. Everyone is welcome to use these resources.
Professional Learning Offerings: Here are a select list of professional learning offerings being offered by state partners and national colleagues.
Up-To-Date Information: this section provides up to date links from OSPI, The Governor’s Office, and Washington Department of Health.
Intro to the Washington Hub on OER Commons - Resources for Continuous Learning
Join us for a quick introduction to the Washington Hub on OER Commons. This platform contains openly licensed instructional materials developed by OSPI collaborators, grantees, and Washington districts, that are free to use, adapt, and share.
Additionally, OSPI has just added a new “Remote Learning Suggestions” section curated by OSPI content experts that provides links to external organizations providing resources for educators and families as well as guidance for supporting students with disabilities, English learners, and our youngest learners
Register for April 3, 11 am
The webinar will be recorded for later playback.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
April is National Poetry month!
Here are a couple of resources to help you celebrate this moment.
Office Hours for ELA Office
Drop into ELA Office hours. These are times for your questions. Stop by for a few minutes to ask questions and get ideas on your specific lessons or needs.
Grades K-5: Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM, Fridays 9:00-10:00 AM (until school resumes)
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/2066171872
Topics of discussion for the coming week:
- How you can support continuous learning during the school closures.
- How can you connect with students and parents & families during the school closures?
Grades 6-12: Mondays 3:00-4:00 PM, Wednesdays 9:00-10:00 AM (until school resumes)
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/6387576136
"Twelve ways to connect with kids and prioritize relationships while teaching remotely.
During distance learning, look for small, simple ways you can center kids’ physical and mental well-being, which will, in turn, be energizing and uplifting for you, as well. Regardless of how much (or how little) contact with your students you’re able to have, and how much (or how little) academic instruction is happening, these ideas can help you prioritize relationships with your students and stay connected."
Link: https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/connecting-with-kids-when-teaching-remotely/
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CASEL CARES is a new initiative that connects the SEL community with experts to address how SEL can be most helpful in response to today’s circumstances. |
"At Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, we understand how important it is to attend to the social and emotional needs that arise during times like these. Social Emotional Learning offers a powerful means to explore and express our emotions, build relationships, and support each other – children and adults alike – during this challenging time."
Link: https://casel.org/covid-resources/
Parents as First Teachers: Supporting Reading Development at Home in Culturally Responsive Ways
"During this 60 minute webinar, we will explore ways to create a home routine that makes literacy learning fun for students and painless for parents so that we can keep equity on track."
Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZzhPQIuSQTyKvbd5Vx8kwA
Middle Grade Magic Virtual Conference by School Library Journal
"Join us for the most anticipated librarian gathering of the year—now fully virtual and free to attend! A day-long program of author panels, in-depth conversations, and keynote talks will keep you informed, inspired, and entertained. Attendees will hear about the latest and most exciting forthcoming titles for children, tweens, and teens, ranging from picture books and nonfiction to graphic novels and YA, and engage in Q&A sessions with authors and illustrators."
"Middle Grade Magic is a free, completely virtual conference – no traveling, no cost, AND you will be able to earn CE credits for all the webcast sessions you attend. Register now, and we look forward to ‘seeing’ you on April 8th."
Can't make the live date? No problem! The entire environment will be archived and available for up to three months.
Link: https://www.slj.com/?event=middle-gr .lade-magic-2020
Teaching Red Scarf Girl by Facing History and Ourselves
"This 5 hour self-paced online workshop introduces Ji-li Jiang's memoir, Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution, through multimedia resources, readings, and teaching strategies that offer educators an insightful window into the first tumultuous years of China’s Cultural Revolution. Exploring the choices made by Jiang, her family, and her peers allows students to gain awareness of a significant moment in world history and provides them with an opportunity to reflect on their own role as members of families, schools, neighborhoods, and nations. In addition, this workshop is designed to provide lesson ideas and support to educators who want to teach about the literary genre of memoir."
"This interactive workshop uses resources from the companion study guide Teaching Red Scarf Girl and helps teachers develop a customized teaching plan informed by Facing History’s approach. This workshop is made possible through the generous funding of the Facing History China Project Committee."
Link: https://www.facinghistory.org/professional-development/ondemand/teaching-red-scarf-girl
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