ATLAS ABE

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2024-04-29 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 4/29/24
Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools.

SiD 23-24 End of Year Data Cleanup webinar
2024-04-30 09:00 - 10:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/30/24
It’s time once again to tidy up your data in SID! Mark your calendar for our annual webinar that helps you get ready for upcoming state and federal ABE reporting. It will be here before you know it!
Topics include:

Reporting deadlines
Clean up and collect student info
Clean up and collect staff info
Turn in report tables
Year-end reminders

How to Work Effectively with Muslims - Presented by CAIR-MN
2024-04-30 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/30/24
Join Jaylani Hussein of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) MN for a proactive diversity training that bridges the gap of misunderstanding and provides resources to employers, attorneys, community leaders and educators.
This single diversity training will cover three different sections.
1. First, the presentation will open with a brief introduction on how to effectively work with Muslim learners by bringing awareness and eliminating a potential bias. This session will also include an interactive polling exercise. Participants will answer questions to both learn about Muslim culture, while also learning ideas about unconscious bias.
2. The second segment highlights Muslim demographics worldwide, in the United States and in Minnesota. This section includes an in depth explanation of the religion and cultural norms, including keywords, holidays, and customs held in Muslim culture, and concludes with a discussion on how Muslims practice their beliefs, emphasizing the continuum of diversity of practice within the religion.
3. The third part of this presentation will include how to provide religious accommodations in an educational setting. It emphasizes:
a. the main practices for which school staff should expect a request for accommodation
b. practices to be mindful of when interacting with Muslim learners

WebChat with MDE - Annual ABE Grant Application Webinar
2024-05-01 13:00 - 14:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 5/1/24

NOTE: ASL interpretation has been secured for this webinar.

This session will be the annual grant informational webinar for the state and federal Adult Education Grant Application.
The Annual ABE Grant Application is the application that must be submitted on June 1 by all consortia in order to continuing receiving state and federal Adult Education funds. This year, the application will be submitted through a new grants system, Minnesota Education Grant System (MEGS). An overview of MEGS will be included in this webinar, so it is especially important for each Minnesota ABE consortium to send at least one representative to this virtual session. Participants are encouraged to share the resources and learning with other staff in their consortium.
Topics will include:

Information and guidance on the Annual ABE Grant Application for Fiscal Year 24–25
Overview of the MEGS grant application system
Update on statewide contact hours
Professional Development announcements
Other announcements and topics TBD

Web chat with MN ABE is a webinar discussion led by state ABE staff from the Minnesota Department of Education. Web Chat webinars provide updates from the state ABE office on new and emerging issues and an opportunity for local ABE staff to ask questions and provide information to the Minnesota Adult Ed state team.
For those unable to attend, the meeting and materials will be available on the Literacy Action Network website after the meeting: http://literacyactionnetwork.org/supplemental-service-activities/web-chat-with-mnabe.

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2024-05-06 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 5/6/24
Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Best Practices in Core
2024-05-07 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 5/7/24
In this session, we will explore ideas and strategies to enhance your instruction when teaching with In-Class Lessons. We will go over fresh ideas on how to engage your students when completing different activities!
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Volunteer Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2024-05-08 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 5/8/24
Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards as well as initial and on-going assessment. This session wraps up with learner motivations, barriers and persistence.

Edmentum Flex Assignments Training
2024-05-09 15:00 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 5/9/24

Flex Assignments in Edmentum Courseware allow teachers to assign targeted lessons, practice, and assessments without assigning an entire course. Kris Klas from the Hubbs Center in Saint Paul and Andrew Kappel from Edmentum will discuss how you can use this feature to support your in-person, hybrid, or online classes.
Edmentum is a state-supported (no cost to you) distance learning platform with a wide variety of content for teaching reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, GED/HiSET preparation, and career pathways classes.
It will be helpful to know your login credentials prior to the training. If needed, you can complete the form here under Key Information to request an account on the statewide license.

Tips and Strategies for Online Instruction
2024-05-10 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 5/10/24
During the early days of the pandemic, remote instruction was a necessary evil that many begrudgingly endured. But as the options for in-person instruction opened up, many learners chose to continue to learn in an online environment. Join this session to learn and see modeled tips and strategies for teaching and tutoring online, and determine how to bring them back to your context. This session is appropriate for educators working with both English language learners and adult education students. (Note: This session does not include technical how-to skills for using Zoom or other platforms.)

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Progress and Reports
2024-05-14 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 5/14/24
In this session, we will have an overview of how to use Progress and also go over the reports feature. We will go through helpful tips on how to increase student usage.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2024-05-15 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 5/15/24
Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults are also covered. Finally, participants increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English and developing literacy as an adult.

Introduction to USA Learns, A Distance Learning Platform for ESL Students
2024-05-16 14:00 - 15:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 5/16/24
USA Learns is an online distance learning platform for low-intermediate level ESL students, and those studying for Citizenship. In this webinar, presenters Melissa Brusacoram (AEOA) and Jessica Ess (St. Paul ABE/Hubbs Center) will provide an overview of the platform, how to sign up as a teacher, student sign up, and guidance on using the website.

How Adult Brains Learn Languages Presented by Andrea Echelberger
2024-05-17 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 5/17/24
Learn what research has to say about how adult brains learn a new language, how trauma and stress impact learning, and how this influences the teaching practices that we use in the language classroom. Participants will leave the webinar with suggestions for ways teachers and tutors can apply brain-based teaching practices as we are helping adult ESL students develop their language skills.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2024-05-21 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 5/21/24
You will be able to join Xue’s open office hour to come with any questions or issues that you have. If you need help with a technical issue, Xue will be able to walk you through and train you in how to resolve the issue. If you need teaching tips or strategies, we can brainstorm in this session. If you need training in a specific area of Burlington English, Xue will be able to help you navigate through the features.

Teaching and Tutoring with Northstar Digital Literacy
2024-05-22 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: WED. 5/22/24
You don’t need to be a computer expert in order to teach computer skills! Come learn how help students build their digital literacy skills using Northstar Digital Literacy.
In the webinar, participants will learn:

The features of Northstar Digital Literacy.
How to help learners navigate Northstar digital literacy assessments.
How to use the Northstar instructor-led curriculum.
How to guide learners through the Northstar Digital Literacy Online Learning Modules.
Additional digital literacy resources.

Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2024-05-22 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 5/22/24
Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include ensuring that instruction is learner centered, using an appropriate level of teacher talk and delivering error correction.

Hmong 101: An Introduction to Hmong History and Culture Presented by Hmong Cultural Center
2024-05-24 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 5/24/24
Participants will be provided a basic introduction to Hmong history and culture. Topics covered will include Hmong population around the world, Hmong role in the CIA’s secret war in Laos, Hmong refugee movements to the U.S., Hmong American population and demographics (2020 census), Hmong American educational status, Hmong American socioeconomic status, diversity in the Hmong community, Hmong clans and their functions, traditional Hmong religion and shamanism, Hmong marriages and funerals, the Hmong language, and cultural etiquette and communication strategies for service providers who work with Hmong populations.

HSE Testing Coffee Talk Series
2024-05-28 13:30 - 14:30
Registration Deadline: Register up to the date of each Coffee Talk.
This past year, we have added a new option to our testing services, making us a two-test state. We have had and continue to need help with connectivity issues, online proctoring, scheduling availability, student identifications, accommodation issues, etc. This series is intended to begin creating a space for us to come together, discuss, share, and problem-solve.
Coffee Talks will take place from 1:30-2:30 pm on every 4th Tuesday of the month in the 2024 calendar year.
Questions?
Please contact mde.abe@state.mn.us

Volunteer Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2024-05-29 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 5/29/24
Participants will engage in a couple of classroom activities to experience scaffolding, checking comprehension and the gradual release of responsibility. These aspects of teaching and tutoring are then defined, explained further and participants get opportunities to practice them.

TVM Refresher Webinar
2024-05-30 14:30 - 15:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 5/30/24
Join Elizabeth Bennett and Adam Kieffer from the Minnesota TVM Team for a review of the key components and requirements of the Minnesota Teacher Verification Model. Take this opportunity to refresh and re-ignite your TVM practice. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a facilitated discussion with other TVM certified teachers regarding TVM implementation considerations, resources, and best practices. Bring your curiosity, any burning questions, and any advice or resources you’d be willing to share.
Note: This is NOT a TVM Certification Webinar; this is for TVM Certified staff only.

Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2024-05-30 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 5/30/24
Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension.
But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Volunteer Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2024-06-03 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 6/3/24
Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards as well as initial and on-going assessment. This session wraps up with learner motivations, barriers and persistence.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2024-06-04 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 6/4/24
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Completing the Annual Volunteer Report
2024-06-06 14:00 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 6/6/24
Are you ready to complete the Annual Volunteer Report using your data in SiD? Join gurus Jenny Schlukebier and Mary Zimmerli as they look over the report and discuss where the numbers come from. They’ll also cover how to find and clean up potential errors in your SiD data. Finally, they will explain how to complete this year’s new required volunteer training report.

Essential Zoom Skills for Online Instruction
2024-06-07 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 6/7/24
Join this hands-on session to learn and practice essential Zoom skills for the virtual classroom that may not be in your repertoire if your experience with the platform is limited to meetings with friends and colleagues at work.
The workshop will cover:
1. Turning off participants’ cameras and microphones.
2. Re-naming participants.
3. Sharing your screen.
4. Annotating your screen.
5. Setting up and visiting breakout rooms.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2024-06-10 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 6/10/24
Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults are also covered. Finally, participants increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English and developing literacy as an adult.

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2024-06-12 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: WED. 6/12/24
Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices for Adult Learners Presented by Andrea Echelberger
2024-06-12 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 6/12/24
Learning new languages and skills as an adult is a challenge for most people, and that challenge grows when trauma and stress are present. Trauma and chronic stress can come in many forms, and impact people’s ability to learn new skills and process information in a variety of different ways. In this webinar, learn how stress and trauma can manifest in the adult education classroom, and learn about healing-centered teaching practices that can help to support positive learning behaviors and increase retention and learner comfort.

Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2024-06-17 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 6/17/24
Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include ensuring that instruction is learner centered, using an appropriate level of teacher talk and delivering error correction.

SiD: Prepping for the PY 23-24 August Submission
2024-06-20 10:30 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 6/20/24
Got your ducks in a row for the 23-24 NRS Program Year? This webinar will assist you in preparing for your consortium’s August 1 report submission. We’ll go over some last-minute check points before you send in your reports.
