How will ELLs master the art of reading non-fiction? There are several mini-steps teachers will need to model and support ELLs in the process. These are steps that all teachers are fully familiar with since teachers have degrees and therefore probably mastered those skills as a means of surviving the demands of college/university assignments. ELLs often times are not equipped to undertake such assignments because at the high school level, they generally arrive with gaps of several years in their school history. Does this mean that they can't learn to do this? Of course not. They just need regular guided practice across all content areas (and Common Core focuses on this).
Now, what those necessary skills? This short video clip highlights the WHAT. It is a starting place in re-evaluating lesson plans covering non-fiction to make sure that ELLs are not left to their own devices to attempt tasks with which they are unfamiliar. Once students have enough regular practice in interacting with non-fiction in all their non-elective classes, they will their grades improve and their confidence build in tackling academics in any subject area:)
READING SKILLS FOR NON-FICTION
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
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Teaching ELLs always requires research-based strategies like those described for teaching non-fiction reading skills. I think the hardest part about teaching ELLs is having time to learn about all of the research and strategies! A great resource is everydayell.com for tips and supplementary classroom materials.
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