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Reading to Learn in Science

The Science Education Research Partnership has developed a number of strategies that facilitate reading science texts. This resource provides strategies for teachers prior to, during, and after reading a science text to maximize student understanding. These strategies come with examples for teachers to view and adapt for their own classrooms.

USGS Water Cycle Image

The US Geological Survey (USGS) produces maps and tables that may be of use in classrooms. This diagram depicts the global water cycle and shows how human water use affects where water is stored, how it moves, and how clean it is. This diagram is available in English and Spanish.

ELA CCRS Evaluation & High Value Action Alignment Tool

Use this tool to determine a resource’s (curriculum, text, lesson, book, etc.) level of CCRS alignment and to identify specific high-value actions to improve a resource’s alignment to the CCRS. Use the embedded note sheet to record your thoughts.

Coaching for Equity Tools

This website by equity coach extraordinaire Elena Aguilar and her team at Bright Morning is full of wonderful tools and resources that can help both teachers and education coaches. However, you don't have to have an official job as a coach to use her helpful materials!

Math CCRS Evaluation & High Value Action Alignment Tool

Use this tool to determine a resource’s (curriculum, text, lesson, book, etc.) level of CCRS alignment and to identify specific high-value actions to improve a resource’s alignment to the CCRS. Use the embedded note sheet to record your thoughts.

Participatory Curriculum Unit Design Tool

Minnesota Adult Education community member Erin Cary created an amazing tool as part of her capstone project at Hamline University. The key to Culturally Responsive Teaching is making the class more relevant to learners' lives, experiences, and goals, and you can't do that without asking them to participate in the creation of the class. This template is an excellent guide to do just that.

CCRS for Adult Education

The College & Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS) is the document that lays out the standards for English Language Arts/Literacy, Math, and Foundational Reading Skills. CCRS is one of the three components - along with the Transitions Integration Framework (TIF) and the Northstar Digital Literacy Standards - of the Minnesota ABE content standards.

Stress Reduction in the Adult Basic Education Classroom

Teachers recognize the value of their classrooms as safe venues for adults to practice healthy coping skills and to develop supports, but they are not always comfortable knowing how to respond to the emotional needs of students. While teachers are not therapists, they can be educated in approaches that promote emotional and psychological well-being, and incorporate strategies into the classroom that help students to learn more efficiently.

Metro South Employability Skills Resource Collection

This excellent collection of resources was put together by Alison Wilcox and Metro South ABE. It contains videos that help students to understand what is meant by the terms "soft skills" and "transferable skills." It also contains links to other resources, such as a transferable skills checklist, a skills inventory, and a list of verbs that can be used for resumes.

Rubrics for Providing Writing Feedback

These two rubrics were created by Stephanie Sommers, Writing Curriculum Team Lead with Minneapolis Adult Education. They are examples of single point rubrics, a format with "at target" expectations in a middle column, a blank column to the left for "below target," and another blank column to the right for "above target." This provides students with specific and valuable teacher feedback for improving their performance.

e-Advanced Alphabetics

NEW SLIDES RECENTLY ADDED! This electronic, screen-shareable resource includes Google slide sets (in PDF format) for remotely teaching compound words, common suffixes, common prefixes, and related word families.

Trello

Trello is an app used for collaboration and project management, allowing users to create virtual boards to manage their workflow, and then customize those boards by adding lists and cards. Users can also attach files, checklists, and comments to the cards, as well as sharing their boards. A student working on her Adult Diploma, for example, could create a board and share it with her teachers in order to get virtual feedback and support.

Teaching with Current Events in Your Classroom

The Current Events Teacher Checklist from Facing History and Ourselves provides a step-by-step guide for teachers looking to incorporate reading and discussion about current events into their classroom. This website also offers a variety of accompanying activity suggestions and a moderated list of online news sources. Appropriate for intermediate level ESL and up.

Great Writing 3: From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays – Evaluation

The resource evaluated here for ELA CCRS alignment is Great Writing 3: From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays from Cengage/National Geographic Learning. This Resource Evaluation was originally completed by a participant in the 2018/19 CCRS Implementation Cohort.

USA LEARNS English Course 1 – Evaluation

The resource evaluated here for ELA CCRS alignment is USA LEARNS English Course 1.

Ventures 1 Workbook – Evaluation

The resource evaluated here for ELA CCRS alignment is Ventures 1 Workbook by Cambridge University Press.

Grammar and Beyond, Level 1 – Evaluation

The resource evaluated here for ELA CCRS alignment is Grammar and Beyond, Level 1 by Cambridge University Press.

The Guardian Newsletter – Evaluation

The resource evaluated here for ELA CCRS alignment is The Guardian Newsletter.

New Resources

Retail Customer Service

Retail Customer Service is a 6-week (48-hour) work readiness training program focused on preparing students for entry-level positions in retail environments, particularly cashiering. The curriculum emphasizes essential retail customer service skills, money handling, inventory tracking, and includes hands-on experience running a student store. Students will gain practical knowledge of U.S. payment methods, cash handling procedures, and use of a Point of Sale (POS) system. In addition to technical skills, the course builds foundational job-seeking abilities such as filling out applications, resume writing, and interview preparation. It also introduces American workplace norms, customer service vocabulary, and strategies for handling conflict, with special attention to culturally appropriate communication in Minnesota. || AUTHOR: Elizabeth Fontaine, International Institute of Minnesota

Workplace Health and Safety Curriculum

This class prepares people for OSHA 10 Training. Explore careers in janitorial, warehouse, hospital. Learners will: Build vocabulary and skills related to building maintenance, customer service, workplace health and safety; develop Speaking, Listening, and Reading skills for entry level and advanced jobs in building maintenance and customer service; earn OSHA 10 Certificate for Industrial Safety; and have access to a Counselor who will help with applying for jobs St. Paul Public Schools, or other companies. || AUTHOR: Nancy Bjorn Nordeen, Hubbs Center

College Readiness Academy Skills

This course builds knowledge, skills, and confidence in standard American English with a focus on academic writing, reading, oral communication, and digital literacy. Critical language areas are integrated throughout the course to prepare students for college-level success. The novel A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park will serve as the core text for reading, writing, discussion, and project work. || AUTHOR: Elizabeth Fontaine, International Institute of MN

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PD Catalog

Get an overview of all MN Adult Education professional development (PD) activities in one convenient, searchable place!

PD Catalog

Presenter Information

Get information about stipends, reimbursements, the MN Adult Ed policy on use of images in presentations, and other instructions for presenters.

 

MN Adult Ed YouTube Channel

The MN Adult Education YouTube Channel is a free online PD resource that you can use to explore teaching techniques and classroom ideas in action! Find out more in this MN ABE Connect newsletter article.

 

ATLAS Announcements & Future PD

Check out the latest list of ATLAS professional development announcements and opportunities! This is the document that is shared at all ATLAS events.

 

Virtual Meeting Resources

Find resources for conducting online meetings/events/presentations! You are welcome to use and adapt these materials to fit your own needs and context.

 

Upcoming ABE Events

June 25, 2025 9:00 am–10:30 am
SiD Support
Online

SiD: Prep for August Submission PY 2024-25

Online

Registration Deadline: WED. 6/25/25 Venue: Online (see details below) In this session we’ll go over reports that are due to MDE and share tips for making sure your SiD program year data is current and complete. We’ll also review how to get started with the new 25-26 program… Learn More

Online
June 25, 2025 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers

Online

Registration Deadline: WED. 6/25/25 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. Learn More

Online
July 11, 2025 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching the Whole Learner: Supporting Mental Health and Neurodiversity in ABE – Presented by Jimmie Heags

Online

Registration Deadline: FRI. 7/11/25 Venue: Online (see details below) Adult learners bring a range of experiences, learning needs, and emotional challenges. This session helps ABE volunteers and professionals recognize signs of mental health concerns and neurodivergence (like autism or ADHD) without stepping into diagnosis. You’ll learn practical, trauma-informed… Learn More

Online