Close Reading of Complex Texts

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts requires students "to read increasingly complex texts with growing independence." When teachers understand what makes a text complex, they can better support their students in reading them. In this course, Dr. Doug Fisher examines the quantitative and qualitative factors of text complexity, as well as the ways in which readers can be matched with texts and tasks. He also examines how close reading of complex texts scaffolds students' understanding. 

This presentation was recorded during the SETESOL conference in Rogers, Arkansas on October 8-11, 2014.

Techniques for Explaining Vocabulary to English Language Learners

In order to improve their second language proficiency, English language learners (ELLs) need a solid knowledge of vocabulary. Dr. Keith Folse identifies the struggles ELLs face with learning English vocabulary and the challenges teachers face with incorporating vocabulary into instruction. Throughout the course, he demonstrates several strategies and activities for learning vocabulary words.

This presentation was recorded during the SETESOL conference in Rogers, Arkansas on October 8-11, 2014.

Sample Lessons: Diverse Learners in Sheltered English Immersion Classrooms - Elementary

In this course, Dr. Anastasia Filipek integrates language into her content instruction while teaching a lesson on colonization to a fourth grade class. After implementing teaching strategies and classroom management techniques in a real classroom, Dr. Filipek discusses them in depth with Stephanie Flinn, an ESL teacher in Fayetteville Public Schools.

This course was recorded in Fayetteville Public Schools on November 10-12, 2014.

Sample Lessons: Diverse Learners in Sheltered English Immersion Classrooms - Middle School

In addition to language acquisition itself, English Language Learners (ELLs) also face the daunting task of continuing to learn in the content areas while being provided instruction in a language that they have not fully acquired. Access the Core’s lead educational consultant, Dr. Anastasia Filipek, provides demonstration lessons featuring teaching strategies that help ELLs to thrive in the content areas. She models learning activities and direct instruction techniques that are accessible to students in sheltered ESL environments while also integrating support for language acquisition.

This course, which features footage from a real sixth grade science classroom, contains Dr. Filipek’s model lesson on the circulatory system. It was taped in Fayetteville Public Schools on November 10-12, 2014.

Linguistic Accommodations for English Language Learners

Welcome to Linguistic Accommodations for English Language Learners (ELLs), a course offered by the Center on Instruction. The main learning outcomes of the course are: describe the characteristics of the ELL population, tell the differences between models and types of ELL programs, use the state's English language proficiency standards to identify the needs of an ELL student, and define and apply the concept of linguistic accommodations. 

Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners (ELL): Book 2 - Adolescent Newcomers

This course recommends the use of the Center on Instruction book, "Research-based Recommendations for Serving Adolescent Newcomers." ELL adolescent newcomers to the United States have a relatively short period of time in which to simultaneously develop academic language skills and master grade-level content. Districts and schools need research-based strategies to support middle school and high school students in this rapid adjustment to the United States education system. This course was funded by the U.S. Department of Education through grants provided to the Center On Instruction and Mc3.

Eureka! The Art of Being

This course features a documentary that focuses on the Ozark town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, home to over three hundred artists, writers, and musicians. After a brief overview of the town's artistic history, various Eureka artists share personal stories about their lives, work, and artistic ideas. They also discuss their feelings about the community in which they live, emphasizing what they think makes Eureka Springs a special place to be.

Disciplinary Literacy: Music - K-12

This course provides a comprehensive overview of what disciplinary literacy is and how it applies to music instruction. Teachers present during this workshop participated in model disciplinary literacy lessons that required them to, among other activities, compare and critique recordings of music and compose a new verse for a song.

This course, with Vocal Music Instructor Cynthia Outlaw, was recorded on August 1, 2014 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Disciplinary Literacy: Art - K-12

Disciplinary literacy has become essential to standards-aligned art instruction. This course provides educators with a detailed overview of disciplinary literacy as it applies to the visual arts. Teachers will explore the thinking tools and creative practices shared by both art and literacy in order to learn how disciplinary literacy can enhance art instruction by encouraging students to read, write, and think as artists. The presentation, which features Terri Taylor, a visual arts instructor from Hazen High School, was taped at the Arkansas River Educational Service Cooperative on June 30, 2014.

Curriculum Framework Revision: Fine Arts - Theatre and Dance

The Fine Arts Curriculum Framework was recently revised, and it is important for arts educators to know and understand the changes. In this course, Ms. Hannah Sawyer, Cabot School District, and Ms. Lana Hallmark, Arkansas Department of Education, lead a workshop that includes an explanation of the organization and layout of the new standards, a crosswalk with the old standards, lesson plan alignment, resource sharing, and more.

This course was taped at the AETN studios on July 7, 2015.