Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1505501
Making Space for Native Languages At Abraham Lincoln Middle School in Selma, English language development teacher Efraín Tovar creates a vibrant classroom community for newcomers — immigrant students who have limited English proficiency. Tovar, a member of Selma Unifed Teachers Association, is an advocate for translanguaging, the practice of encouraging students to use all their linguistic resources, including their heritage languages, to learn academic content and ultimately be able to move fluently between two or more languages. " Typically, anywhere from five to eight languages are represented in my classroom," Tovar says in a new video from Edu- topia. He finds that when English language learners are given consistent opportunities to practice their home languages in class, their English proficiency flourishes — along with their sense of belonging and identity. " The goal is to be bilingual and bi-literate so that you'll not only be a contributing citizen but also be a bridge maker when you speak multiple languages with multiple communities." Watch the video at tinyurl.com/27a283he. National Arts in Education Week National Arts in Education Week, this year Sept. 10–16, celebrates the transformative power of the arts in education. Comprising an array of disciplines including dance, music, theater, media arts, liter- ature, design and visual arts, arts education is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education. Use the week to bring attention to the arts — particularly in sup- porting equitable access to the arts for all students. Find ways to celebrate, participate and advocate at AmericansfortheArts.org. #ArtsEdWeek Native American Day The 56th annual California Native American Day is Sept. 22 — a state holiday established in 1968 to honor Native American cultures and contributions to the state and the United States. A celebration, with the theme "Protecting Our People With Sovereignty: Past, Present and Future," is planned at the State Capitol; related events will take place around the state. Find teaching resources and information at nativeamericanday.org. 10 cta.org In the Know N E W S & N O T E S