Celebrating Oakland USD!
Teachers and staff at Oakland Unified School District have succeeded in launching a pilot program for Newcomers and Emerging English Language Learners using Be GLAD strategies. The SAILL (Summer Academy for Integrated Language Learning) at Esperanza Elementary offered a summer program for 180 students from 23 Elementary Schools entering Kindergarten through 5th grade. Due to the phenomenal success, OUSD’s Summer Academy was featured on ABC7!
During the 2023 summer institute for Newcomers and Emerging ELLs, students learned to speak, listen, read, and write in English through Be GLAD-based science units. Students engaged in science content and projects by working collaboratively throughout the day in pairs, teams, and whole groups. OUSD Be GLAD-trained teachers supported students through differentiation in small groups while also strengthening their own instructional practices of Be GLAD strategies with co-teachers, peer observations, and coaching support. Teachers collaboratively planned and engaged in a team-teaching model as part of the professional development built into the program for becoming better teachers of newcomers throughout the year!
Check out these highlights from the OUSD staff who participated in the Summer program:
Academic content and vocabulary were explicitly taught, practiced, learned, and shared by newcomer students in a fun, engaging, and collaborative environment!
Full day field trip for all students to Chabot Space & Science Center!
Students showcased their learning publicly to peers, staff, and families at the end of the session.
Teacher feedback - "I LOVE this program. It was so organized. The student growth was incredible. I had so much fun with my co-teacher. I felt like the community (teachers) were so supportive of one another!"
Cause for Celebration!
We applaud and celebrate all the efforts and successes OUSD has achieved, and most importantly, how they have positively served their community and students.
Watch the ABC7 News feature
Success worthy of being featured on the news. Catch it here:
Blog Post information and pictures provided by Jessica Jung. Edited by Anisa Arain.
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Anisa Arain
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