Many English teachers now have ELLs in their classes since ELD courses are not as popular as they were in the recent past. So, the concern that surfaces in such classes is how to teach writing in a class where 20% of the students speak very little English. Since teachers want to reach all their students, they never stop exploring different strategies in the hopes of finding just the right tool to make it happen.
With this in mind, why not try small groups of no more than 3 or 4 to write on a common theme? I did this regularly in my classes of ELLs. Groups were carefully structured so that student support was built into each group (early advanced, intermediate, and beginner for example). The persuasive writing topic was open ended enough that there could be wide range of responses. One topic I used in the past was tied to space exploration. The question was "Should we send space probes to outer space with a map back to our planet on them? Take a position here and support it."
Students in small groups discussed it first (a must with ELLs since often times they process through speaking first before reading and writing). To use the results of this group work, students kept notes on a graphic organizer (double bubble is a favorite of mine ---it is an organized venn-diagram). They then started collaborating on how to structure the argument (as per sample essays, former writing assignments, etc.). Notes were kept in that organizer. From that point, they began the writing as a team. When the final copies came back to me, I didn't have 30 different essays to grade. I had 5 (5 themes but same essay structure). When I returned the group writings, I had them collaborate on editing them. Over time, their writing improved to the point that they could attempt composing on their own from time to time. So, in a nutshell, this type of support for ELLs is a must for them to grow in their language and writing skills. It works!
Here is an example of small group writing in a high school. It is highly effective.SMALL GROUP WRITING
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Showing posts with label English grammar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English grammar. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Adjust English Language Instructional Activities With Ease Here
This site is one that has it all: grammar, word forms, reading comprehension, writing, editing/proofreading, spelling, and much more. ELLs need support in all areas here, but instructional delivery must be differentiated since most ELLs are at many different levels of English language proficiency in their classes. Adjusting assignments to meet every student's personal need can sometimes appear to be overwhelming; however, thanks to ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE, this need not be the case.
Here teachers will find a wide selection of English materials covering grades 1-12. Within many of those categories, activities are divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Such a breakdown benefits ELLs because assignments can be tailored to their specific language needs at any given time. If the assignment is too easy at the beginning level, the teacher can bump him/her up to the next level and vice versa. This site also offers practice in skills that most students are tested on annually in state academic performance assessments. The more practice the ELL especially receives here, the higher his/her self-confidence will be in taking the test! By the way, answer keys are provided with each assignment so no need to worry about creating them:)
The site is free (as is everything else I have in the blog) so add it to your instructional toolkit!
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
PS The blog has been nominated for MOST FASCINATING BLOG OF 2012. If you like what I do here, please vote for me by clicking on VOTE FOR ME badge. Thanks!
Here teachers will find a wide selection of English materials covering grades 1-12. Within many of those categories, activities are divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Such a breakdown benefits ELLs because assignments can be tailored to their specific language needs at any given time. If the assignment is too easy at the beginning level, the teacher can bump him/her up to the next level and vice versa. This site also offers practice in skills that most students are tested on annually in state academic performance assessments. The more practice the ELL especially receives here, the higher his/her self-confidence will be in taking the test! By the way, answer keys are provided with each assignment so no need to worry about creating them:)
The site is free (as is everything else I have in the blog) so add it to your instructional toolkit!
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
PS The blog has been nominated for MOST FASCINATING BLOG OF 2012. If you like what I do here, please vote for me by clicking on VOTE FOR ME badge. Thanks!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
FREE Online Reading Comprehension Activities for ELLs:)
If you teach ELLs, you are probably always looking for ways to improve their reading skills beyond mastery of the textbook passages. In this day of lean school budgets, teachers are continually looking for free or almost free resources to support their ELLs in this area. Though the internet offers much, not everything there is geared to ELLs. More times than not, teachers have to adapt materials for their students. This site is geared to ELLs at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of English.
Click on READING COMPREHENSION and you will find a wide variety of reading passages geared to 3 levels of English proficiency-beginners, intermediates, and advanced. Please note that these passages offer students the opportunity to also prepare for high stakes tests. Teachers have the option to print out the passages which helps if access to computer labs is limited. Printing them out also has the advantage of discussing test taking skills and then using them as a way to answer the questions.
Further some of the reading passages offer students the opportunity to write paragraphs. If teachers avail themselves of this option with their students, they will also be provided with a clearer idea of areas where students are weak in writing. Also, since 3 reading levels are listed, differentiation of instruction comes with ease. Assign students to reading passages that the teacher thinks they can handle. As skills improve, more challenging passages can be assigned. Another option for teachers is to make the reading assignment a partner or small group one. With clear rules and time limits, partners or teams can not only find the correct answer, but also be able to explain or show where they found the answers. The more practice ELLs have in this area, the higher their test scores will be.
ENGLISH MAVEN even offers practice in spelling, grammar, sentence completion, punctuation, synonyms/antonyms, etc. for ELLs. Students can never have enough practice here as we all know. With each tab, you will find anywhere from 10 to 40 activities/quizzes. Computers are non-judgmental so students are free to practice as many times as they like without fear of receiving a grade:) These activities must be done online though since there is no print option.
I hope the site works for your students:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Click on READING COMPREHENSION and you will find a wide variety of reading passages geared to 3 levels of English proficiency-beginners, intermediates, and advanced. Please note that these passages offer students the opportunity to also prepare for high stakes tests. Teachers have the option to print out the passages which helps if access to computer labs is limited. Printing them out also has the advantage of discussing test taking skills and then using them as a way to answer the questions.
Further some of the reading passages offer students the opportunity to write paragraphs. If teachers avail themselves of this option with their students, they will also be provided with a clearer idea of areas where students are weak in writing. Also, since 3 reading levels are listed, differentiation of instruction comes with ease. Assign students to reading passages that the teacher thinks they can handle. As skills improve, more challenging passages can be assigned. Another option for teachers is to make the reading assignment a partner or small group one. With clear rules and time limits, partners or teams can not only find the correct answer, but also be able to explain or show where they found the answers. The more practice ELLs have in this area, the higher their test scores will be.
ENGLISH MAVEN even offers practice in spelling, grammar, sentence completion, punctuation, synonyms/antonyms, etc. for ELLs. Students can never have enough practice here as we all know. With each tab, you will find anywhere from 10 to 40 activities/quizzes. Computers are non-judgmental so students are free to practice as many times as they like without fear of receiving a grade:) These activities must be done online though since there is no print option.
I hope the site works for your students:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Monday, February 27, 2012
Free Access to Works of Literature, Major Magazines, Leading Newspapers, and MORE!
English Page offers some major resources here. It offers instruction in English vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing (student forum where students can ask questions about correct uses of English in different settings). Tutorials with almost immediate feedback are also available. Students may also listen to NPR and the BBC for FREE. Translating tools are found here. The YAHOO one was easy to use. Babel Fish is probably already being used by some of your students:) There is also a thesaurus along with several top notch dictionaries.
ENGLISH PAGE
The site below is also found within ENGLISH PAGE, but it is so unique that it needs its own write up:) Here you will find some of the English speaking world's major newspapers. The following countries are represented here: United States, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. Access to each is free. You will also enjoy the magazine link where you will find The Economist, Newsweek, Popular Science, and more. Last, but not least, there is a link that takes you to major pieces of classical literature. Again, this is free as well:)
ENGLISH READING ROOM
Your students will have many great activities to boost their English skills and all of it is free!
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
ENGLISH PAGE
The site below is also found within ENGLISH PAGE, but it is so unique that it needs its own write up:) Here you will find some of the English speaking world's major newspapers. The following countries are represented here: United States, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. Access to each is free. You will also enjoy the magazine link where you will find The Economist, Newsweek, Popular Science, and more. Last, but not least, there is a link that takes you to major pieces of classical literature. Again, this is free as well:)
ENGLISH READING ROOM
Your students will have many great activities to boost their English skills and all of it is free!
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Free Library of Worksheets and Instructional Resources for Teachers of ELLs:)
Leave it to teachers to put together a website like this:) The site offers an incredible variety in the basic language skill areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Membership to access the materials is required, BUT it is FREE to join:)
Their section on writing essays was quite thorough. The explanations as to how to write the various essay types are geared to teachers of any discipline. Most times, the explanations are geared to teachers of English (English literature/language arts), but not here. They are written in a friendly manner and therefore accessible to a teacher of any discipline.
There is also a wide selection of posters that teachers submitted to be shared. Some of them are subject specific, others inspirational, others fun, etc. As a member, you can enlarge most of them and print them out with ease. The ones that don't fill up your screen entirely, you can print out and have enlarged at any copy center if you wish to keep the vivid colors.
As far as worksheets go, they are all teacher designed (and, as a member, YOU may submit your own worksheets to share with others). It seems that any teacher of ELLs (aka ESL students) will find the ready-to-go materials a major asset for both students who need more practice as well as those who wish to be challenged.
The site also contains some creative teacher tips. This month offered 10 great sources for real listening practice. Each suggestion is one that can easily be implemented in any classroom-guest speakers, another teacher, radio, TV commercials, etc. Hearing English spoken by many different people in many different situations boosts their listening skills.
BUSY TEACHERS
I hope this site helps make your job a little easier:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Their section on writing essays was quite thorough. The explanations as to how to write the various essay types are geared to teachers of any discipline. Most times, the explanations are geared to teachers of English (English literature/language arts), but not here. They are written in a friendly manner and therefore accessible to a teacher of any discipline.
There is also a wide selection of posters that teachers submitted to be shared. Some of them are subject specific, others inspirational, others fun, etc. As a member, you can enlarge most of them and print them out with ease. The ones that don't fill up your screen entirely, you can print out and have enlarged at any copy center if you wish to keep the vivid colors.
As far as worksheets go, they are all teacher designed (and, as a member, YOU may submit your own worksheets to share with others). It seems that any teacher of ELLs (aka ESL students) will find the ready-to-go materials a major asset for both students who need more practice as well as those who wish to be challenged.
The site also contains some creative teacher tips. This month offered 10 great sources for real listening practice. Each suggestion is one that can easily be implemented in any classroom-guest speakers, another teacher, radio, TV commercials, etc. Hearing English spoken by many different people in many different situations boosts their listening skills.
BUSY TEACHERS
I hope this site helps make your job a little easier:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
30 Ideas for Teaching Writing for ELLs and EOs Alike
Of the 4 language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), writing is the one that ELLs struggle with the most. In fact, in many cases, it is the last skill to be mastered. Sometimes full mastery never seems to come no matter what supports teachers have built into their classes. Low scores in this language skill area also bring down annual test scores on standardized examinations such as the CST (California Standards Test) and low scores can lead to state/federal interventions on a multitude of levels affecting funds and staff.
So what should be done? Teaching to the test is not the answer. Instead, focusing on their weakest skill through creative modern-day prompts may be and that is where the NATIONAL WRITING PROJECT comes in. In the article I have attached, you will find 30 very original ideas to make writing accessible and even enjoyable for your ELLs and other struggling students. Each suggestion is linked to an in-depth article on the inspiration for the idea. They are all free resources which you may explore at will.
Writing needs to be done frequently with meaningful feedback highlighting strengths while offering suggestions in only 1 or 2 areas (too many suggestions will destroy self-confidence). ELLs also need to have time to play with language and writing. After all, they are writing in a language that is not theirs so they need more time to explore the nuances of English. Developing writing assignments that spark interest and offer inspiration should be the goal:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
So what should be done? Teaching to the test is not the answer. Instead, focusing on their weakest skill through creative modern-day prompts may be and that is where the NATIONAL WRITING PROJECT comes in. In the article I have attached, you will find 30 very original ideas to make writing accessible and even enjoyable for your ELLs and other struggling students. Each suggestion is linked to an in-depth article on the inspiration for the idea. They are all free resources which you may explore at will.
Writing needs to be done frequently with meaningful feedback highlighting strengths while offering suggestions in only 1 or 2 areas (too many suggestions will destroy self-confidence). ELLs also need to have time to play with language and writing. After all, they are writing in a language that is not theirs so they need more time to explore the nuances of English. Developing writing assignments that spark interest and offer inspiration should be the goal:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Monday, January 2, 2012
Interactives for all Subjects Grades K-12! All FREE:)
Well, today was the first day of school for many teachers. As planning unfolds for the new year, many of us are faced with trying to find ways to assist students in remembering some of the items addressed before the break:)
ALL SUBJECTS ALL GRADES INTERACTIVES is a website from the Utah Education Network. This site offers instructional materials for all subjects (including probability at the high school level) and grade levels. It can't cover every point taught in school, but it hits on some of the big ones. The science section for grades 9-12 covers physics, chemistry, biology, genetics, etc. It also has many virtual labs (some tied to PBS - Public Broadcasting Station). The Language Arts section covers vocabulary development, spelling, grammar, writing, etc. I was also impressed with their ARTS section which many sites don't address. Here even architecture was covered including a section on designing your own building! Like MUSIC? Use the virtual keyboards to create music.
Grades K-6 are equally well thought out and easy to use (to supplement school instruction).
The K-2 section has a doodle pad (like a smartboard minus the internet) where students can write, draw, etc. You have a choice as a teacher to print in black ink or color. Kids will love it of course. Then there is the FLIP BOOK (Read Write Think). Little ones will delight at the thought of being an author. Again, all subjects are addressed here. I have pulled out one for the blog.
Grades 3-6 has a technology component which not only covers the keyboard and hardware/software, but also internet safety. I have never seen a site address this (one written for students that is). Parents and teachers should appreciate this one. There are many more subjects here as well.
I hope you enjoy the site!
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
ALL SUBJECTS ALL GRADES INTERACTIVES is a website from the Utah Education Network. This site offers instructional materials for all subjects (including probability at the high school level) and grade levels. It can't cover every point taught in school, but it hits on some of the big ones. The science section for grades 9-12 covers physics, chemistry, biology, genetics, etc. It also has many virtual labs (some tied to PBS - Public Broadcasting Station). The Language Arts section covers vocabulary development, spelling, grammar, writing, etc. I was also impressed with their ARTS section which many sites don't address. Here even architecture was covered including a section on designing your own building! Like MUSIC? Use the virtual keyboards to create music.
Grades K-6 are equally well thought out and easy to use (to supplement school instruction).
The K-2 section has a doodle pad (like a smartboard minus the internet) where students can write, draw, etc. You have a choice as a teacher to print in black ink or color. Kids will love it of course. Then there is the FLIP BOOK (Read Write Think). Little ones will delight at the thought of being an author. Again, all subjects are addressed here. I have pulled out one for the blog.
Grades 3-6 has a technology component which not only covers the keyboard and hardware/software, but also internet safety. I have never seen a site address this (one written for students that is). Parents and teachers should appreciate this one. There are many more subjects here as well.
I hope you enjoy the site!
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Remember School House Rock? Cute Songs for All Content Areas With Videos
Back in the 1970's, American children were glued to their televisions watching short 1-2 minute cartoon clips on Grammar, America, Multiplication, Science, and Money. The clips were accurate, fun to watch, and artistic. The lyrics that accompanied the cartoons were catchy and did a great job teaching the academic content of the subject. To this day, adults who watched the videos as youngsters/young adults STILL remember them.
To date, no commercial enterprise has come even remotely close to creating an equivalent. Teachers at all grade levels weave in appropriate clips to drive home a point. They are also popular with ELLs because they take the complex and simplify it.
Below is a link to many of the clips. You will need to be able to access YOUTUBE at your schools to watch it unless you download them to your hard drive. By downloading them, you will not need the internet to show them. You will also find the lyrics to the songs on this site as well.
SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK
Hope you enjoy this:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK
To date, no commercial enterprise has come even remotely close to creating an equivalent. Teachers at all grade levels weave in appropriate clips to drive home a point. They are also popular with ELLs because they take the complex and simplify it.
Below is a link to many of the clips. You will need to be able to access YOUTUBE at your schools to watch it unless you download them to your hard drive. By downloading them, you will not need the internet to show them. You will also find the lyrics to the songs on this site as well.
SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK
Hope you enjoy this:)
Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS
SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK
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