Session 2: Going deeper

Description of Session 2

Session 2 provides two interactive video presentations about quality standards of ELD and World-Class Instructional Design Assessment (WIDA).  There is also a reflection section on standards and an assignment to create a sample activity that aligns to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for diverse learners. After completing this session, click on Session 3 to continue.

If this course is being taken to document Professional Development hours, use the checklist on the menu to the left.

Video Presentations

Please watch the two lecture presentations below that highlight quality standards and World-Class Instructional Design Assessment (WIDA). (Adobe Flash Player is required to view the PowerPoint lectures.) Click on the title to load presentations.

• ELD in the Standards. Standards in the Outside of School Time (OST) environment.
• WIDA. Divides language into Receptive and Expressive skill sets for learning.

State Resources

The following resources, which were discussed in the presentations above can be bookmarked or otherwise saved for future reference or with the activities below.

• QRIS Standards for After School and Out of School Time
• Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy (ELA) 2011

• The National PTA Guides for Student Success
• WIDA Standards K-12 The English Language

Sample Discussion: Reflection on Standards and Best Practices

Below is a sample of discussion questions that can be used when training faculty with the above materials.

• "Are standards and best practices such as WIDA, the MA-CF, and UDL useful or not – if so, what makes them useful?  If not, what prevents them from being useful? (minimum word count 200 words)
• Choose one concept you have learned about and describe how it will improve your day-to-day practice when you are working with children in your program. (Minimum word count 200 words)"

Recommended directions for online learners would be:

"Post your response [in the discussion area].  Once you have responded to both questions, post a reply to two other learners.  You may choose to respond to learners who have posted about the same child scenario or others."

Sample Activity Planning and Feedback

The following is a sample of an activity for self-paced learners or groups in-class or online.  Use the checklist on the menu to the left to document your work for credit or Professional Development hours.

1. Think about the children in your classroom or program
   • Consider English Language Development needs
   • Consider learning styles and multiple intelligences
   • Consider age and developmental stage
   • Consider interests
   • Consider the environment and available resources, materials, etc.
2. Create a sample of an activity that meets the following criteria:
   • Aligns to the learning styles of the children in your group
   • Aligns to Universal Design for Learning
   • Is at an appropriate learning level for your group of children’s current language development needs
   • Aligns to a specific WIDA Standard (identify which one)
   • Aligns to a specific item in the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts (or another CF that you identify)
   • Is engaging and exciting for you and for the children
3. Write a detailed description of your sample activity that includes standard numbers and other details to describe how all of the above-listed criteria is met by your activity.

Recommended directions for online learners:

• Post your description [in the discussion area]
• Peer-review one other sample activity written by another learner and provide specific, detailed, constructive feedback and concrete suggestions for improvement