ACES - Developing a Future Pathway

ACES (Academic, Career & Employability Skills) The goal of ACES is to ensure that Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs are able to provide effective contextualized instruction integrating post-secondary education and training readiness, employability skills, and career readiness at all levels. The Transitions Integration Framework (TIF) is the cornerstone of ACES. It was designed to provide ABE programs and instructors with guidance on the effective integration of transitions skills into instruction at all levels of ABE. The TIF defines the academic, career, and employability skills essential for adult learners to successfully transition to post-secondary education, career training, the workplace, and community involvement. The ACES Resource Library contains tools to help ABE practitioners incorporate the TIF skills into lessons and instructional settings and provides materials that can be used directly with adult learners.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Heather Turngren

Introduce Yourself Beginning Writing Project

I created a series of lessons that culminate in a student created document of themselves to post in the classroom (mini poster). The lessons focus on student interaction, dictation, grammar, writing, editing, typing and other digital literacy skills. This is more like a project that is broken down into lessons.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan

Author: Kahtryne Chiqui

Minnesota Literacy Council Curriculum and Lesson Plans

The Minnesota Literacy Council provides a wide variety of professionally written curriculum for adult ESL, adult literacy, and GED classes. The ESL Curriculum includes six months of comprehensive, life-skills based curriculum for pre-beginning and beginning level classes. The units in these curricula are based on themes that are applicable to adult ESL learners, aligned with the CASAS standards, and incorporate the ACES Transitions Skills Framework. Each unit includes explicit teacher instructions, a grammar focus, and printable handouts. GED Science and Mathematical Reasoning curricula are also available, as well as curriculum for employment readiness, technology mini-grants, and citizenship instruction. The site also includes curriculum units that were created in partnership with ECHO Minnesota. Topics covered are: voting, domestic violence, community resilience, tornado safety, and health.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Newspaper Lesson

This lesson uses Google Docs. Students write WH questions and answer them, based on a newspaper article.

Material Type: Reading

Author: Susanne Kimber

Google Slides Lesson- Housing Industry

This lesson presents guided practice for google slides, along with internet research practice, jobs awareness, and speaking practice.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Brenda Anfinson

Adult Literacy Fundamental English - Course Pack 5

This course pack is designed to meet the learning outcomes for Adult Literacy Fundamental English Level 5 (roughly equivalent to grades 6 to 7.5 in the K-12 system). Every chapter includes a level-appropriate, high-interest reading of between 500 and 800 words. The readings are freely available in a separate reader with convenient links to the readings .

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Shantel Ivits

100 Instances of Open Body Language and Micro-expressions

Body language and micro-expressions can provide a wealth of information about a person's emotions, thoughts, and intentions. Regarding openness, certain gestures, postures, and facial expressions can indicate a person is receptive, accepting, or willing to engage. Here are 100 examples of body language and micro-expressions that may indicate openness:

Material Type: Student Guide

Author: Bhavin Chauhan

10 - Clothes: Same Closet? Activity

These lesson plans and activities were developed by Janine Darragh, Gina Petrie, and Stan Pichinevskiy and were previously located on the Reaching for English app. Created for K-12 English teachers in Nicaragua, the materials may be used and adapted for any country's specific context and needs. 

Material Type: Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Authors: Marco Seiferle-Valencia, Janine Darragh