Innovation Plan Outline – Peer Review
Technology-Enhanced Project-Based Learning for Newcomer Emergent Bilingual Students
The Technology-Enhanced Project-Based Learning for Newcomer Emergent Bilingual (EB) Students innovation plan was conceived in 2022 when my business partner and I noticed a critical shortcoming in the education of EB students in our school district. Specifically, EB students were using the same computer-based Reading/English Language Arts curriculum that general education students were using, but the EB students had not yet acquired enough English to successfully work in the platform. Additionally, the program did not offer adequate linguistic accommodations for newcomer EB students. Therefore, we offered to use resources we created when we previously worked as Reading teachers to build a Reading/Language Arts curriculum specifically designed with EB students' unique needs in mind. Although this was outside of our regular job duties and an immense balancing act, we were compelled to take action because we wanted to ensure the newcomers were given a better chance at success in middle school with content and activities that is linguistically accessible and authentically engaging. We also believe that language should not be a barrier to education.
In the table below, you will find an innovation plan outline that details our progress thus far and shows how we plan to proceed with our idea. Additionally, here is a link to the innovation proposal letter.
After reviewing, I would sincerely appreciate any comments or feedback you might have. Thank you!
Innovation Plan Outline
*Click the dials to the left of each phase below to reveal details of the innovation plan.
Phase 1 – Brainstorming, Conceptualizing & Building a Strong Foundation
From February 2022 – May 2022
A. Drafted Reading/Language Arts Curriculum Proposal Presentation citing the – February 2022
- Challenges EB students were facing with the current curriculum.
- Benefits a different approach would have on target student subpopulation.
B. Validated proposal with information compiled about our target students’ educational and linguistic needs based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – March 2022
- Number of newcomer EB students who go on to becoming long-term ELs.
- EB graduation rate
- EB dropout rate
C. Gave the curriculum a name – the “ELLA Curriculum” – March 2022
- Derived from the initials of the standards set forth by the state of Texas in 2017 to educate English Learners.
D. Defined desired student learning outcomes for the ELLA curriculum including – March 2022
- EB newcomers learning, understanding, and applying CALP (Cognitive academic language proficiency) for 6 – 8 Reading using information in the English Learners Language Arts (ELLA) standards.
- Increased use of English to communicate as the school year progresses.
- Decreased use of linguistic scaffolds/support tools
- Completion of an authentic project during each unit of instruction.
- Gradual and increased performance on unit assessments.
- Positive student remarks on post-unit surveys
E. Defined “look-fors” to observe for when evaluating a class where the ELLA curriculum is being used – March 2022
- Classroom Environment
- Student Actions
- Teacher Actions
F. Sourced existing documents for use in planning ELLA curriculum – March 2022
- ELLA Standards vertical alignment by standard strand
- English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and ELLA Alignment Document
- STAAR Dictionary Use Policy
- STAAR 2.0 New Question Types Document
G. Created ELLA curriculum supporting documents – March 2022 – April 2022
- Scope & Sequence
- Divided ELLA standards into eight units
- Unit Planning Document
- A division of work document that guided work splits between my business partner and I.
- Lesson Plan Templates
- Regular Lesson Plan Template
- Testing Lesson Plan Template (for quizzes and assessments)
- Pacing Calendar
- A calendar where all lesson plans were organized for easy teacher access.
- Created a model lesson with differentiated and accommodated activities for grades 6 – 8 using standards that are common across grade levels.
H. Presented concept to district leaders – May 2022
- Delivered presentation with challenges newcomer EB students face and the benefits of adopting a curriculum tailored specifically to newcomers.
- Went over model lesson and highlighted the differentiation and accommodations for newcomer EB students.
- Received feedback and approval to proceed ✅
Phase 2 – Building a Plane While Flying It
From June 2022 – May 2023
A. Used desired student learning outcomes (Phase 1 - Item D) to determine the resources to use – June 2022
- Used original resources (created when my business partner and I worked together as reading teachers).
- Created lesson deliverables including lesson plans, presentations, notes sheets, projects, rubrics, assessments, etc.)
- Thoroughly accommodated and modified items for newcomer EB students.
- Sourced long and short form texts.
- Sourced videos.
- YouTube
- Animated shorts
- Advertisements
- Used original resources (created when my business partner and I worked together as reading teachers).
B. Curriculum writing and delivery to teachers (May 2022 – May 2023):
- Unit 0
- Written from May 2022 – June 2022
- 8 Lesson Plans | 1 Pre-assessment to determine proficiency in native language (L1).
- Delivered to teachers on August 10, 2022
- Unit Commenced August 16, 2022
- Unit Completed on August 26, 2022
- Shared assessment of L1 results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Unit 1
- Written from June 2022 – August 2022
- 21 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Assessment |Student Survey
- Delivered to teachers on August 22, 2022
- Unit Commenced August 30, 2022
- Unit Completed October 7, 2022
- Reviewed and shared assessment results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Collected feedback from four teachers.
- Unit 2
- Written from August 2022 – September 2022
- 13 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Quiz | 1 Assessment | Student Survey
- Delivered to teachers on September 30, 2022
- Unit Commenced October 11, 2022
- Unit Completed November 4, 2022
- Reviewed and shared assessment results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Collected feedback from three teachers.
- Unit 3
- Written in October 2022
- 15 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Quiz | 1 Extension Activity | 1 Assessment | Student Survey
- Delivered to teachers on October 28, 2022
- Unit Commenced November 9, 2022
- Unit Completed December 15, 2022
- Reviewed and shared assessment results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Collected feedback from three teachers.
- Unit 4
- Written from November 2022 – December 2022
- Refocus Days – Teacher’s discretion provided options for two days if needed (January 5 & 6, 2023)
- Persuasion: 10 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Assessment |Student Survey
- Delivered to teachers on January 3, 2023
- Available online December 16, 2022
- Unit Commenced January 9, 2023
- Unit Completed February 3, 2023
- Reviewed and shared assessment results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Collected feedback from three teachers.
- Unit 5
- Written in January 2023
- 8 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Assessment |Student Survey
- Delivered to teachers on January 27, 2023
- Unit Commenced February 6, 2023
- Unit Completed February 24, 2023
- Reviewed and shared assessment results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Collected feedback from three teachers.
- Unit 6
- 6 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Assessment |Student Survey
- Written in January 2023
- 8 Lesson Plans | 1 Project | 1 Assessment |Student Survey
- Delivered to teachers on February 17, 2023
- Unit Commenced February 27, 2023
- Unit Completed March 22, 2023
- Reviewed and shared assessment results.
- Reviewed student survey and shared with teachers.
- Collected feedback from three teachers.
- Unit 7 - STAAR Review and Preparation
- Written in March 2023
- Delivered to teachers on March 20, 2023
- Unit Commenced March 23, 2023
- Unit Completed April 24, 2023
- Unit 8 – Year Wrap Up: Students Revise Projects, Select Best & Present to Audience
- Written in April 2023
- Delivered May 5, 2023
- Teacher's discretion for implementation
Positive and constructive feedback collected from top three teachers to be used in Phase 3 ✅
Phase 3 – Reconstruction & Iteration **Current Phase**
From May 2023 – April 2024 (Current Phase)⚡
A. Business Formation – May 2023
- Created business plan
- Mission Statement
- To Do List – Kanban Board
B. Branding – May 2023. Consistent:
- Colors
- Fonts
- Logo
- Icons
C. Completed Literature Review (July 2023) that showed how technology-enhanced project-based learning can support EB students in:
- Increasing their motivation,
- Improving their language proficiency, and
- Improving their overall academic performance.
D. Editing and revising Unit 1 texts: June – August 2023
E. Build business website – August 2023
- WordPress
- Homepage
- Landing Page
- Interest Form
- Testimonials
- About
- Contact
F. Develop and implement marketing strategy: mid-August – September 2023
- Marketing strategy draft started May 2023
- Innovation Proposal Letter (June 2023)
G. Unit by unit/lesson by lesson - iteration, improvement, and purposeful technology integration
- Iterating Units 0 – 3 (August 2023 – December 2023
- Checklist developed May 2023
- Iterating Units 4 – 8 (January 2024 – April 2024)
- Checklist developed May 2023
H. Submit items for copyright (TBD)
I. Networking (August 2023 – July 2024)
- Outreach
- Lead Generation
- Warm network
- Cold network
J. Determine parameters for pilot and/or soft launch. (January 2024)
K. Select Model/Demo lessons. (January 2024)
Phase 4 – Pilot Program & Soft Launch
From April 2024 – May 2025
A. Confirm/select school districts and campuses where ELLA will be piloted (April 2024 - July 2024)
B. Pilot or launch curriculum at confirmed campuses. (July 2024 - September 2024)
- Adopt ELLA curriculum based on parameters of Pilot Program/Soft Launch.
C. Provide professional learning experiences as requested. (July 2024 - March 2025)
- Trainer of trainers
- Mini professional development sessions
- Professional learning as requested.
D. Collect feedback at predetermined checkpoints. (August 2024 - May 2025)
- Teacher focus groups
- Student surveys
- Review artifacts of authentic learning
E. Attend campus events where students showcase their authentic learning/projects to an audience. (After STAAR May 2025)
Phase 5 – Continuous Improvement
June 2025 & Beyond
A. Use feedback, surveys and observations notes to continuously improve curriculum and remain relevant and competitive.
6 thoughts on “Innovation Plan Outline – Peer Review”
Hello Natalie, I just looked at your implementation plan and it looks great! I like the layout/drop down phase sections. It makes it easier to read. I also like the breakdown and the idea of creating an EB Program that can actually help our school districts. I hope this program does get created and goes well for you and your team! All of you have already put a lot of work into it.
Good Evening Nwamaka,
I really enjoy the layout of your outline, the click down make for easy navigation throughout! Your outline is very detatiled, and your goal and objective of an EB Program is very noticable. Amazing Job!
I just checked out your implementation plan, and I have to say, it looks really impressive. The layout of your outline is highly enjoyable, and the collapsible feature enhances the ease of navigation. This plan is exceptional and has the potential to bring significant benefits. Well done!
Hi Nwamaka
While I was reading I like to see how your project and mine it is focused on emerging students and inspire me because as a dual teacher. I saw that if there is a lot of need for a very complete adapted curriculum.
your implementation plan is very complete, I think your didn’t lost any part! Excellent
Hi Nwamaka
I love how detail oriented you were able to describe the specifics of your outline and plan. Keep up the great work.
Just checked out your implementation outline and the formatting is unique definitely. This does require a lot of work on our part but most people might not mind. You put a lot of work and thought into this plan and it shows in the outline itself. I believe you are on your way and there may be things that need to be changed a long the way but you are definitely on the right path.