Resources
Results
“Minds On” Project-Based Learning in Adult Career Pathways: Designing Well-Balanced Career-Based Lessons for Low-Literacy English Language Learners
In project-based learning (PBL) students pose an important problem or issue, identify how to respond, and present results to a wider audience. Using PBL in adult career pathway (ACP) courses can develop mastery of academic and occupational content, help master transitions skills, and promotes equity. This PowerPoint slide set outlines the components of PBL as implemented in an ACP course, research about the effectiveness of PBL, and concrete examples of PBL used with low-literacy ELLs.
Using Graphic Organizers to Develop Academic Writing
This PowerPoint covers topics such as academic writing skills adult learners need; teacher and learner challenges related to academic writing; strategies or supports that make academic writing possible for adult learners; and how teaching graphic organizers can be effective with adult learners at different levels.
Teaching Academic Writing to Adult English Learners
This PowerPoint shares the importance of teaching academic writing in the 21st century; reports on a 2014-2015 survey of adult ESL writing instruction; briefly describes ten approaches that are better aligned with academic writing skill development; and concludes with references for exploration by ABE/ESL writing teachers.
In Their Own Words: Reading and Understanding Through Paraphrasing
Effective paraphrasing builds students' reading and writing skills and boosts comprehension of complex texts. Summarized here are materials and techniques for teaching paraphrasing in various ABE contexts, including addressing paraphrasing for the GED 2014 Extended Response.
Skills Commons
Skills Commons is a collection of Workforce Training-related open educational resources (OERs). The website is fully searchable, enabling users to look for materials by material type, institution, credential type, industry or occupation.
Raising Your Standards: How to Plan Units or Lessons that Align to Both CCRS & ACES/TIF
From North ABE Fall 2016 Regional - Stephanie Sommers
Reaching into Rigor
From 2015-2016 ABE Regionals and 2016 Summer Institute - Rebecca Strom, Nadine Holthaus, Amber Delliger; Andy Albee
Introduction to Minnesota’s ABE Content Standards
From 2016 Summer Institute - Astrid Liden & Patsy Egan
Coherence in Our Classrooms
From 2015-2016 ABE Regionals and 2016 Summer Institute - Rebecca Strom, Abby Roza
A New Opportunity: Using Standards to Enhance Speaking and Listening Instruction in ESL
From 2015 ESL Institute - Suzanne McCurdy & Janet Sparks
Sounds of English
Sounds of English is a collaboration by Holly Gray and Sharon Widmayer that they started to help their ESL students develop their pronunciation and speaking skills. The site has been expanded to include information about their past research and presentations, lessons and activities for ESL teachers, and more.
Incorporating Goal-Setting in Adult ESL Classrooms
This PowerPoint outlines goal-setting projects and their results in beginning level adult ESL classrooms. Images of handouts and descriptions of activities are provided.
TIF-Lens Series: “Zoom In” on Self-Management (SM)
TIF-Lens Webinars and Workshops provide hands-on practice using the A-C-E-S process to integrate TIF (Transitions Integration Framework) skills from the targeted category.
Using ACES to Plan, Implement, and Evaluate Transitions-Minded Instruction
From 2016 ABE Summer Institute - Stephanie Sommers, Heather Turngren
What are the CCRS and Why Should I Care?
From 2014 ABE Summer Institute - Patsy Vinogradov, Lia Conklin Olson, Astrid Liden, Kristine Kelly, Amber Delliger
TIF-Lens Series: “Zoom In” on Critical Thinking (CT)
TIF-Lens Webinars and Workshops provide hands-on practice using the A-C-E-S process to integrate TIF (Transitions Integration Framework) skills from the targeted category.
TIF-Lens Series: “Zoom In” on Effective Communication (EC)
TIF-Lens Webinars and Workshops provide hands-on practice using the A-C-E-S process to integrate TIF (Transitions Integration Framework) skills from the targeted category.
New Resources
How to Be a Successful Online Student
ESL instructor Dan Bruski describes how he led his low-intermediate ESL students through a project-based learning activity around composing a list of rules and expectations for their online class. The culmination of the lesson was the creation of a video on "How to be a successful online student," which has an authentic use for orienting new students.
Integrated Education and Training Design Toolkit (Initial Release)
The Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) supported development of this Integrated Education and Training (IET) Toolkit to assist state and local adult education staff to plan, design, implement, and evaluate effective IET programs that are responsive to state and local labor market demands and fulfill the requirements…
ABE Acronyms
Adult Basic Education (ABE) is chock-full is acronyms! There’s one right there! But fear not; we have compiled this list of the most common acronyms that apply to Minnesota Adult Education and/or our learners. ABE Acronyms…
Presenter Information
Get information about stipends, reimbursements, and other instructions for presenters.
MN ABE YouTube Channel
The MN ABE 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.
Upcoming ABE Events
December 3, 2021
8:30 am–2:45 pm
Online
2021 Virtual Literacy Volunteer Management Conference
Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 12/2/21 The Volunteer Management Conference (VMC) is a one-day professional development opportunity that brings together Adult Basic Education staff who work with volunteers: coordinators, teachers and managers alike. This year, the conference will be virtual, on Zoom. The conference is free for participants in Minnesota;… Learn More
Online
December 3, 2021
3:00 pm–4:30 pm
Online
Counting with Purpose: Teaching Social Justice and Math
Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 12/3/21 If you require ASL Interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu Presenter: May Vang Swanson, math instructor Social justice issues can be intimidating and uncomfortable, but social justice issues have a place in education and especially in math. Last year, May Vang… Learn More
Online
December 6, 2021
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Online
Volunteer Foundations Training – Core Training Module 1: Overview of MN Adult Education & Program Accountability
Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 12/6/21 Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards, initial and on-going assessment and other accountability measures. Learn more about Literacy Minnesota’s Volunteer Foundations Training at https://www.literacymn.org/volunteer-foundations-training. Learn More
Online