Retronaut--A Look at the Civilizations From Their Earliest Beginnings to Present Day

If you teach art, photography, history/social studies, or literature, you will want to bookmark this site.   For teachers to help ELLs (and others) make connections to upcoming lesson themes before the lesson actually starts, teachers need to employ a variety of quick "activating prior knowledge" OR "building background knowledge" activities.  Such activities should not be any longer that a 5-7 minutes in general.  Here visuals help immensely since no reading is required.  This makes instant access possible for ELLs because they are reacting to the visual only.

How could this site be used for literature?  Think about Grapes of Wrath (set in depression of 1930's).  Photographs of DUST BOWL victims would add vital context to reading the novel.  Imagine how they would react to seeing that all ethnic groups have had struggles in society.  In fact, in some cases, students may have experienced similar suffering (there would be no need to have them share with the class here obviously).  Other students may personally know of friends who have encountered hard times in this day and age.  This might assist them in making those vital connections to the novel's theme.

World history connections?  See World War 1 soldiers in their trenches looking out for enemy fire.  Watch them wearing their mustard gas masks.  Ask students how they feel the soldiers felt living under such horrific conditions.  Have ELLs and EOs reflect and share their reactions to the plight of these men in small groups with chart paper.  This type of activity motivates everyone to contribute since the writing is kept to a minimum, but the content is grade appropriate.

Contrast technology in the 1950's with now.  ELLs and EOs would have much to draw vivid contrasts with using this site.  Look at the telephone then and contrast it with what we have now.  Visions of space travel then as opposed to the reality of now.  With this background, classes would be ready to enter the arena of quality science fiction and enjoy every minute of it!


RETRONAUT

Try it out and see how your students react to it.  My guess is that they will truly be amazed at how the world has changed over time.

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

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

A Look at CHILD LABOR in the US in 1908-1912

Though child labor is a thing of the past for the most part in the US, it is still an issue in some countries. This site offers a window to the loss of childhood that these children experienced. Children today might develop a deeper appreciation for the lives they lead now--school, a home, parents taking care of their many needs, laws that protect them from unfair labor practices, etc.

This site (at end of post) could easily enhance a lesson in social studies, geography, world history, economics, writing, etc. If this surfaced in an English class, it could be tied to Upton Sinclair's THE JUNGLE (you may download this book for free from this link). As students progressed through the book, they could be reminded of what life was really like for these children--children who didn't know how old they were, who could barely reach the work assigned work area without a box to stand on, who toiled long hours selling newspapers often catching pneumonia (no health insurance), who looked much older than their years due to the harsh working environment, etc.

In an ELD class, these photos could be used to build a comparison/contrast composition. With a double-bubble graphic organizer, students would look at a child's life in 2012 vs a child's life then. This could be done as a small group activity where students could work as teams to complete the graphic organizer. Once the teacher had an opportunity to make sure that everyone was on the same page, s/he could have them start developing their essay outlines. The actual writing of the essay could be done with a partner (if the process is semi-new for them) or individually with teacher support as needed.

CHILD LABOR IN US (photographs and captions from Lewis Hine)

I hope you can use these photos in some of your lessons.

Denise:)

ELL TEACHER PROS

Moving Away from Ambiguous Word Choices:)

ELLs generally struggle with vocabulary choices when trying complete academic assignments. Overuse of common words with multiple meanings is the frequent choice. You will see a word like BREAK in every other sentence because ELLs don't have an extensive enough language background to supply suitable synonyms for the word. When in doubt, the same word is used repeatedly. On this site, a student clicks on the word he/she is using to see what other choices exist. Each choice selected is equipped with its definition and part of speech to help the student pick the correct form of the word substitution.

A teacher's guidance is a must-have though since finding just the right word will take some practice. To help students remember great word selections, a word wall could be created with possibly 3 columns: column 1 (weak words), column 2 (strong words), column 3 (AWESOME WORDS). Words could be added throughout the week as needed. The list would be kept up all year. If teachers hold on to student writing samples, journals, logs, etc., they will see major growth in student word choice. Students will be amazed at their greatly expanded vocabulary base by the end of the year---guaranteed! :)

AMBIGUOUS WORDS

Enjoy!

Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS

Creative Pen and Pencil Writing Ideas For All Grade Levels:)

If you want your students to become good writers, you need to find fun ways to use writing. This is especially true of ELLs. Unless they have time to play with the language, they will never really feel confident in attempting any writing project.

The link I have provided, TEN CREATIVE WRITING ACTIVITIES, offer some non-traditional approaches to the writing process. They also will have every student actively engaged in the process. JUMBLE STORY and ENHANCING AN AD were my favorites. Developing crazy ads has always been a writing assignment that my ELLs of all levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) thoroughly enjoy. They take an ad of a product they like (giving them choices is a must) and enhance to the point that it becomes a totally new product. We then follow it up with a skit to promote their product in class.

JUMBLE STORY is one I will definitely share with the English teachers I coach. My suggestion with those who have struggling students (ELLs and English Only) will be to have kids work in teams of two in developing their stories. When the project is finished, I would have them read them to the class and then keep all of them in a class binder. What a treasure that would be to show parents at Back-To-School night:)

Enjoy!

Denise
ELL Teacher Pros