Illinois at ACTFL

Both Kathleen and I are are so pleased to be able to network with other elementary teachers and our colleagues at NNELL here at the ACTFL Convention in San Antonio.  NNELL has just announced their summer workshop information and I will soon post that for you to be able to consider it in your summer plans.  We know for sure it will feature Helena Curtain. If you are on social media-check out NNELL's new hashtag: #EarlyLang to network with other early language teachers.

If you are not a member of NNELL-sign up!  Let's advocate for our early language programs!

 Pictured: New NNELL President, Nadine Jacobsen-McClean, Kathleen Priceman, Valerie Shull, Leann Wilcoxen

Teacher of the Year finalist Carrie Toth-from Illinois- at ACTFL Opening General Session

 The Illinois delegation at ACTFL Opening General Session

Recruiting new members for NNELL at the Exhibit Hall

Gearing up for ACTFL!

Are you headed to San Antonio for this year's ACTFL Convention? There's a lot happening for FLES teachers. Be sure to check out some of these sessions for FLES Teachers:


NNELL Sponsored Workshops 

• Multi-Dimensional Thematic Units with a Global Perspective # 162
• Connecting with the Common Core in the Early Language Learning #2259
• Common Core and FLES: Language Learning with Nonfiction Texts #1867

Illinois FLES teacher Valerie Shull 's workshop

•  Assessing and Developing Proficiency at the Elementary Level #112

NNELL ACTFL Activities:

• NNELL Networking Breakfast :The NNELL annual breakfast provides attendees an opportunity to network with other early language-learning professionals. Join us for conversation on the latest in early language learning from leading professionals in the field. Sponsored by ACTFL and Santillana USA. Admission is by ticket only. 

Location: Grand Ballroom C2 (Convention Center), Saturday, November 22, 7:30-9am. The keynote presentation for this event “ Reaching Our Littlest Ones From Day One” by Leslie Davison

Sign up for the NNELL Networking breakfast and you could win one of these great prizes:
-One NNELL membership ($30 value)
-One free NNELL webinar ($35 value)
-One Free Registration to the NNELL Summer Institute ($200 value)

• NNELL Membership Meeting       5:00 PM - 6:00 PM; at The Grand Hyatt Hotel

Great Blogs for FLES Teachers

What did we do before Pinterest?   There are some great blogs for FLES teachers out there that provide ideas, materials and news from the from lines of early language classrooms!  Here are some of my favorites-please add yours by clicking on the comments link below.

www.Spanishplayground.net
I cannot say enough about this blog and its author. This teacher/blogger is prolific(so much so that if you follow her on FB or Pinterest, you will have materials in your inbox daily). Perfect for teachers of preschool and elementary.

www.Spanishsimply.com
This blog is written by a PreK-early elementary FLES teacher. She shares her classroom practices and materials that she's using.

So, now it's your turn. What blogs are you following and using as a resource?

ACTFL's October/November Language Educator Focuses on Comprehensible Input/Output

This month's Language Educator published by ACTFL focuses on comprehensible input/output. Below is a link to an article that is relevant to those of us in FLES-trying to squeeze the most out of every minute with have with the children.

Maintaining an Immersion Setting in the Early Language Classroom