ATLAS ABE

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2023-07-26 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 7/26/23
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.

Writing Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2023-07-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Literacy Minnesota – main office, 700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Registration Deadline: THU. 7/27/23
While most in our society take the ability to write for granted, it can be laborious for ESL learners with little experience with this skill. Attend this webinar to learn about and try out engaging, interactive activities for English Language Learners in Beginning Literacy and Beginning level classes. Ideas for in-person, remote, one-on-one, all-class, as well as low-tech and no-tech options will be covered.

Rob's 5.5 Tips for Designing Great Workshop Presentations
2023-07-31 14:00 - 15:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 7/31/23
Are you getting ready to present at Summer Institute? Do you want to learn how to design effective presentations? Are you looking to make your great workshops even greater? Join Literacy Minnesota training director Rob Podlasek as he shares 5 1/2 easy-to-implement tips to keep your presentations rolling and your audience members happy.
This session is appropriate for novice presenters as well as experienced trainers (with the workshop evaluation scars to prove it). As an added bonus, we will share a variety of presenter resources that are available on the ATLAS website.

Reading Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2023-08-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Literacy Minnesota – main office, 700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Registration Deadline: FRI. 8/4/23
Teaching and tutoring very beginning level ESL readers can be intimidating for volunteers and professional teachers alike. Attend this webinar to get practical activities and ideas for one-on-one, remote and in-person instruction with tech and no-tech options. Leave feeling ready to provide your learners with meaningful and effective reading activities.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2023-08-08 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/8/23
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.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2023-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 8/9/23
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.

Assessment Training for New Staff – CASAS Implementation Training (Online)
2023-08-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 8/10/23
Register now for a virtual CASAS Implementation Training!
Join your state trainers virtually for a CASAS Implementation training on Friday, August 11, 2023, 9:00 to 12:00 noon. This training provides an overview of the approved CASAS tests. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate CASAS test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer CASAS multiple choice assessments.
For more information on this training, contact Marty Olsen – martha.olsen@gmail.com

Assessment Training for New Staff – TABE Implementation Training (Online)
2023-08-11 12:30 - 15:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 8/10/23
Register now for a virtual TABE Implementation Training!
Join your state trainers virtually for a TABE Implementation training on Friday, August 11, 2023, 12:30-3:30 pm. This training provides an overview of TABE 11 & 12. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate level test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer TABE multiple choice assessments.
For more information on this training, contact Marty Olsen – martha.olsen@gmail.com

Summer Institute 2023
2023-08-15 11:00 - 2023-08-18 12:00 | Park Event Center – Waite Park, 500 Division St, Waite Park, 56387
Pre-Conference Registration Deadline: FRI. 7/14/23
General Conference Registration Deadline: FRI. 7/14/23 (Early Bird pricing through FRI. 6/30/23)
Summer Institute is Minnesota’s annual statewide Adult Basic Education conference sponsored by Literacy Action Network. After three years, we are gathering once again in person from August 15- 18 at the Park Event Center in Waite Park, MN.
This year’s conference includes:

pre-conference workshops
a keynote from our very own Brandy Logan
an MDE update
LAN’s Award Luncheon
35 breakout sessions
bingo
happy hour with live music from Lonesome Dan
professional headshots
…and more!

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Model: Going through an In-Class Lesson
2023-08-22 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/22/23
In this session, we will take a look at a Burlington English lesson plan paired with an In-Class Lesson. Xue will model how to present different strategies for how to complete the activities and how you might complete them in your classroom. Feel free to come with questions and problems you’ve been experiencing and we can brainstorm how you might overcome them!
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Solidarity Not Charity: Challenging the White Savior Complex in Adult Education
2023-08-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/22/23
What is “white saviorism” and how does it show up in adult education? During this session, participants will explore a shared definition of the term “white savior complex.” We will strategize ways to address this concept both in the context of working with adult learners and on a personal level. Through the use of educational anecdotes, scenarios, and personal introspection, participants will consider how perspectives on this topic have evolved in recent years and the impact of white savior complex on our learners.

Teaching Reading Vocabulary Remotely or In Person
2023-08-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 8/24/23
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.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: How to Lead Student Orientations for Your Own Class
2023-08-29 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/29/23
In this session, we will go over tools and resources for how you can lead your own student orientations for your class/program when onboarding new students to using Burlington English. We will go over important features to focus on and common Q&As.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Phonics in Adult ESL: Recommendations, Activities and Resources
2023-08-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 8/30/23
Phonics–the knowledge of the sounds letters make when they are combined to make words–is essential to beginning literacy and beginning level English language instruction. But, many teachers and tutors lack the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach the topic. Attend this session to learn why phonics instruction is important and leave with several ideas for phonics activities and resources to bring back to your teaching and tutoring sessions.
This session will be most useful to tutors and teachers working with beginning literacy, low beginning and high beginning English language learners.

Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2023-09-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/6/23
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.

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2023-09-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 9/8/23
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: Digital Literacy Content
2023-09-12 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/12/23
In this session, we will go over areas in Burlington English that cover digital literacy to help support your students. We will cover content and resources available to help teach your students the importance of digital literacy and using the internet.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2023-09-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/13/23
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.

Tips and Strategies for Online Instruction
2023-09-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 9/15/23
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: Best Practices in Core
2023-09-19 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/19/23
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.

MobyMax Training: Meet the New Moby! Session 1
2023-09-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/19/23

Now that the Classic MobyMax interface has been retired, this session will help teachers and staff transition to the New Moby layout. Learn about the Home, Curriculum, Tools, and Help tabs; running proxy hour reports; managing your roster; customizing your Dashboard; and more tips to make things easier.
It will be helpful if you 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. MobyMax is a state-supported platform, so there is no additional cost to you or your learners!
This same training will be repeated on Monday, October 9 at 3:00 pm. A recording will also be available.

Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2023-09-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/20/23
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.

Edmentum Courseware: New User & Refresher Training
2023-09-21 15:30 - 17:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 9/21/23

Attend this training for an introduction to using Edmentum Courseware as a distance learning platform. The course catalog contains 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 if you 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. Edmentum is a state-supported platform, so there is no additional cost to you or your learners!

BASE for Distance Learning
2023-09-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/26/23

BASE is a state-supported distance learning platform with content supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) and the ACES/TIF standards.
Attend this session to learn about using BASE modules with learners who are working asynchronously (outside of class time). We’ll cover creating learner accounts, organizing learners into “rooms,” assigning specific modules (courses), monitoring progress, and running reports for distance learning proxy hours.
This session will be recorded.
Another session on October 31 will focus on using BASE resources for in-class instruction (contact hours).
If you need a staff account on the statewide license, please use the form here under Key Information: https://www.literacymn.org/distancelearning/dl-platforms/base-sel

Working with Literacy and Beginning Level ESL Learners
2023-09-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Literacy Minnesota – main office, 700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/26/23
Learners with limited English and literacy skills have unique needs for in-person and remote instruction. Participants will learn best practices and tips for success at this level. They’ll also get several ideas for routines, activities and resources to use in their tutoring sessions.

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2023-09-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 9/27/23
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.

Math Institute 2023 Virtual Conference
2023-09-29 09:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 9/29/23

If you require ASL Interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan @ grutan01@hamline.edu.

Math Institute 2023 will feature a morning keynote and workshop by Heather Buskirk, Director of Professional Learning for Citizen Math, as well as afternoon concurrent sessions. The overarching theme is helping learners view math as a powerful tool for understanding the world.
WHO is Math Institute for?

Math instructors and volunteers AND…
ABE teachers of ANY content who want to incorporate numeracy into their instruction in a meaningful way!

9:00 am – 12:30 pm – Morning Keynote & Workshop – Heather Buskirk

Description: Too often, traditional math instruction exists in a world apart from the real life experiences of our students. Even traditionally successful students come to view math as separate or other. How can we turn around the perspective to view math as a powerful tool for understanding the world? Great math learning is so much more than rigor. Let’s explore how math can and should be more meaningful, relevant, and fun.
Heather Buskirk is the Director of Professional Learning for Citizen Math and a National Board-certified teacher with over 12 years of classroom experience. In her work at Citizen Math, she develops and implements professional learning opportunities for math teachers looking to bring real world conversations into their math classrooms. Additionally, she serves on the Professional Standards and Practices Board for the New York State Department of Education and as a Trustee for the Knowles Teacher Initiative. She earned her B.A. in astronomy-physics and her M.A. in teaching from the University of Virginia.
1:15 – 3:00 pm – Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
Session #1: Where Shall I Begin?! Repurposing My Classroom Materials – Andy Albee & Marcie Vaiphei
Do you get overwhelmed by the thought of creating more rigorous and engaging math experiences for your students? Do you feel the pressure to always try something new? Join us as we take a look at commonly used resources and brainstorm ways of supplementing a core math text to enhance both student engagement and critical thinking in the math classroom.
Session #2: Exploring a Rigorous and Versatile Routine – Katy Chiqui & Meagan Hymes
Are you new to slow reveal graphs and interested in experiencing the power and versatility of this routine? Are you a user of slow reveal graphs who would like to dig deeper and explore the possibilities that this routine has to offer your students? If you said yes to either of these questions, then this session is for you!
Join us as we (1) experience connections to CCRS math practices and ELA standards (Let’s be real; we don’t teach math in a vacuum!), (2) discuss teacher moves for differentiating based on classroom context and student needs (including no-tech options!) and (3) highlight ways to increase student critical thinking about “math” topics that are interesting and relevant…and all of this using slow reveal graphs!

Understanding and Interrupting Microaggressions
2023-09-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 9/29/23
This class will expose how institutional racism and stereotypes can lead to microaggressions. The session will provide learners with a framework for understanding, identifying and disrupting microaggressions. Participants will be introduced to the various types of microaggressions and how to use interventions to promote safer and more equitable environments.
Learning objectives:

Articulate the connection between institutional racism and microaggressions.
Examine the connection between white privilege and white fragility and microaggressions.
Understand the different types of microaggressions.
Develop interventions for disrupting microaggressions.

Edmentum Exact Path New User & Refresher Training
2023-10-02 15:00 - 16:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 10/2/23

This training will provide an overview of using Exact Path for individualized remediation. This tool, which is a feature within Edmentum Courseware, can help teachers “fill the gaps” that adult learners may have in reading, language arts, and math.
It will be helpful if you 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. Edmentum is a state-supported platform, so there is no additional cost to you or your learners!

CASAS Implementation Training for New Staff (Virtual)
2023-10-03 15:00 - 18:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 10/3/23
Register now for a virtual CASAS Implementation Training!
Join your state trainers virtually for a CASAS Implementation training on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. This training provides an overview of the approved CASAS tests. It will cover selection and administration of the appropriate CASAS test, interpretation of test scores, and measurement of student progress. This training is geared toward newer users of the assessments. Participants who complete this training will be certified to administer CASAS multiple choice assessments.
For more information on this training, contact Marty Olsen – martha.olsen@gmail.com
