This event has now passed.
THANK YOU attendees for your support of ICTFL!
Please contact ICTFL Conference Coordinator Sue Johnson at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you!
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Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025
8:30 AM - 1:15 PM Sign-in and breakfast begin at 8:15 AM @ University High School, 601 Gregory St, Normal IL All registrants must be a member of ICTFL to attend.
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THE PROGRAMAre you wondering how your school and your district will approach Illinois’ 2-Year Language Requirement? Join us for WinterFest where we will get ready to welcome all learners into our classrooms! Topics such as teaching multiple levels, rotating curricula, and inclusion of all students will be on the agenda during this informative workshop designed to help us prepare for 2028.
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Presenters and Session Descriptions:
Welcome by Todd Bowen and Introduction of Emily Mizera, ISBE
Dr. Lin Lin, Chinese teacher at
U-High in Normal, IL |
Session: “One Fish, Three Dishes: Mastering Culturally Responsive Teaching in Multi-level Classrooms”
Description: Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a powerful approach that integrates students’ cultural backgrounds into the learning process, fostering deeper connections and meaningful growth. This presentation will explore how CRT can be effectively applied in classrooms with multiple levels of learners, ensuring every student feels valued and engaged. Attendees will learn practical strategies for implementing CRT and discover how to adapt content for diverse proficiency levels through authentic, real-world classroom examples. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable tools to enhance their teaching practice and empower all students in a multi-level classroom setting |
Julia Martin, French teacher at
U-High in Normal |
Session: “Taking the splitting headache out of teaching split-level classes: how to easily navigate the terrain of split levels with a rotating curriculum”
Description: In this session, teachers will be equipped with different strategies, such as differentiation and split instruction. We will highlight the use of curriculum road maps to make teaching split-level and split ability classes a breeze. We will look at an example curriculum map and discuss how it can serve as a road map for students' learning. This will help create a thoughtful itinerary of rotating curriculum, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to multi-level classes. |
Angela Fitzgerald, Special Education teacher at Mahomet-Seymour HS
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Session: "Executive Functioning and the High School Student"
Description: This session will provide an in depth description of what EF skills are, why they are important, and how they can be better developed. Information about brain development related to Executive Functioning skills will also be shared. Tips and strategies for helping support your students in every classroom will be provided, as well as practical approaches that can easily be implemented. |
Esmeralda Mora, Spanish teacher at Carmel Catholic High School
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Session: “Empowering Heritage Learners”
Description: This presentation will focus on effective strategies for integrating heritage language learners into regular classrooms, emphasizing differentiation techniques that cater to their diverse needs while leveraging their existing language skills. We will delve into the Illinois Spanish Language Arts Standards, examining their development within the WIDA framework. These standards provide a crucial foundation for effective Spanish language programs, offering guidance for educators at all levels and ensuring a consistent and rigorous approach to teaching and learning. |