MN ABE Connect Archive

Recent Newsletter Articles

Manipulatives Are a Fun and Engaging Way to Help ESL Students Learn! – Part 1

Manipulatives Are a Fun and Engaging Way to Help ESL Students Learn! – Part 1

Miriam Bosveld, a Level 1 ESL teacher at the Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program and a PANDA consultant, wrote the following article series about the relevance of using manipulatives in teaching her students. Using manipulatives is also supported in the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) free training that PANDA offers each year. Read More

Resources for Volunteer Tutors Series: ESL Instructional Support Kits

Resources for Volunteer Tutors Series: ESL Instructional Support Kits

As a part of a brief, weekly series in MN ABE Connect, Literacy Minnesota’s Training Department is back with another valuable resource for volunteers – ESL Instructional Support Kits! Read More

Where Shall We Begin? Planning and Budgeting for the Coming Year

Where Shall We Begin? Planning and Budgeting for the Coming Year

During our most recent Administrator webinar, we had the privilege of hearing from Kirsten Fuglseth (Northwest Service Cooperative) and Kellie McGowan (Metro South ABE) as they responded to these key questions: What data/information are you considering as you are budgeting and planning for next year? What new things are you planning/hoping to fund and why? What are you going to discontinue and why? Read More

Resources for Volunteer Tutors Series: Tutor Tips

Resources for Volunteer Tutors Series: Tutor Tips

For the first installment of the Resources for Volunteer Tutor Series, let’s look at Tutor Tips! Literacy Minnesota creates and shares this weekly tidbit delivered straight to your inbox. Read More

HyFlex in Minnesota ABE: What Is It, Who Needs It, and How Does It Work? – Part 2

HyFlex in Minnesota ABE: What Is It, Who Needs It, and How Does It Work? – Part 2

One of the many conundrums facing Minnesota ABE is how to meet both the needs of adult learners who prefer to learn at a distance and those who want to learn in-person – and all at a time when ABE resources are stretched thin, and public health recommendations change rapidly. HyFlex offers an educational model that can meet the needs and preferences of learners in a flexible, effective manner. Read More

Antiracist Praxis Study Circle Facilitator Guide Now Available!

Antiracist Praxis Study Circle Facilitator Guide Now Available!

Last fall ATLAS hosted a new Antiracist Praxis Study Circle aimed at moving beyond good intentions by applying intentional antiracist practices in our adult English classrooms. Now, the study circle Facilitator Guide and materials are on the ATLAS website and available to everyone. This is the kind of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) professional development that we have been looking for, and now it’s ready for YOU to use! Read More

What Does the WIOA State Plan Mean to You?

What Does the WIOA State Plan Mean to You?

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan is a required component of federal law for every state. This article explains its purpose and relevance to ABE practitioners. Read More

HyFlex in Minnesota ABE: What Is It, Who Needs It, and How Does It Work? – Part 1

HyFlex in Minnesota ABE: What Is It, Who Needs It, and How Does It Work? – Part 1

One of the many conundrums facing Minnesota ABE is how to meet both the needs of adult learners who prefer to learn at a distance and those who want to learn in-person – and all at a time when ABE resources are stretched thin, and public health recommendations change rapidly. HyFlex offers an educational model that can meet the needs and preferences of learners in a flexible, effective manner. Read More

Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs): The Symptoms, the Myths, the Facts

Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs): The Symptoms, the Myths, the Facts

Often called a “learning disability”, specific learning disorders (SLDs) are frequently misunderstood. Learn about common symptoms as well as SLD facts and resources to help prevent misunderstandings and respond appropriately to student needs. Read More

Remote Instruction Observation Tool

Remote Instruction Observation Tool

Learn about a new remote instruction observation tool that can be used to provide structure for observations and reflective conversations to support quality remote instruction. (Reprinted here with permission, this article originally appeared in the World Education Ed Tech Center Tech Tips Blog.) Read More