Common Core Social Studies--Teaching ALL Students How to Conduct Research Like Historians

Common core social studies will have students exploring key historical events from multiple authentic primary sources.  The textbook will be in the classroom as a support tool.  It will not drive classroom instruction as it has in the past.  Students will be actively engaged in analyzing primary sources to fully understand the impact of major historical events.  They will view the events from multiple perspectives and then arriving at conclusions to assigned taskes based on small group discussions. 

ELLs have much to gain from this approach.  With proper setup from the teacher in vocabulary (KEY academic as well as content but select words only) along with some background information necessary for those who may not have any prior knowledge in the subject area, the ELLs will be prepared to read, analyze, and discuss their findings with their team partners on an equal footing.  Once the team has reached a consensus based on  research, teams will address the demands of the assignment.  Persuasive arguments have teeth with backed up by facts from documents written in the time when the event occurred.  Students display an excitement in knowing that they can come to their own interpretations based on their understanding of original historical documents--nothing watered down or oversimplified.  They discover that they can read challenging materials and enjoy the process.  On the other hand, the textbook reports on events through a score of editors who bring to the text their own bias--it is human trait.  It is not a primary resource. 


READING LIKE AN HISTORIAN  This link shows former struggling readers (ELLs and EOs) praising the new technique.  They really felt enthusiastic about sharing their new insight into history.  The benefits from this approach extended beyond history class as well in that they found that reading comprehension in all their non-elective classes improved.  Their teachers noticed this same new found confidence in their students as well.  They became more aware readers

75 LESSONS FOR READING LIKE AN HISTORIAN 
I remembered when this source was unveiled to local teachers in on Stanford's campus.  It was an evening presentation where Dr. Sam Wineburg delivered a 2 hour on the project to a packed classroom.  The already prepared lessons are excellent and will lead to teachers and students viewing history through the lens of primary sources.  This approach will lead to rich classroom discussions and that will boost the listening and speaking skills of ELLs.  As the listening and speaking skills grow so do the reading and writing skills improve. 


TEACHING STUDENTS TO THINK LIKE HISTORIANS
Here is the most recent video of students using Stanford's program.  Notice how positive the students feel about their new self-confidence in tackling historical documents.

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS
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Come Visit The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory!

If you teach world history, social studies, literature, or geography, you will want to take a long look at this incredible site dedicated to man who led the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Even more a testament to his skills as a leader was the fact that no bloodshed was shed after that historical election where he was elected president of a united South Africa.

This site offers volumes of files, films, speeches, photos, etc. on the man and his time. Though now retired, he still serves as an inspiration to young people. He believes that they must be educated to preserve the hard fought freedom that he and others dedicated their lives to securing for their oppressed fellow countrymen.

Why not use this site as a jump off point to having students identify heroes in their own cultures? In a class with ELLs, this would be an empowering experience. They will be able to showcase national icons who improved the quality of life for fellow citizens. Since the reports will be in English, they will need the teacher's support, BUT the motivation will already be there so the final product should be a good one:)

NELSON MANDELA

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Is Writing a Challenge for Your ELLs? If Yes, Try Paragraph/Essay Frames:)

If your ELLs or ESL students struggle with writing, this site might be helpful. It is a collection of 78 pages of every writing graphic organizer imaginable AND for all content areas. It can also be used at anywhere from elementary through high school (especially helpful for new arrivals).

Why are such supports needed for ELLs? Some students are totally new to the English linear writing style. They must go from the familiar to the new. Such changes can be difficult at best hence the need to make the change as painless as possible. Others have very limited literacy skills in their own language so there is nothing for a teacher to relate to in trying to teach writing. Writing frames provide a model which they can steadily rely on until they have enough language and are confident in their abilities to write on their own. These tools supplement instruction. They are those necessary scaffolds which allow students to survive in content classes.

PARAGRAPH/ESSAY FRAMES This document is 78 pages long. I would suggest that teachers print it out, hole punch it, and place it in a binder for easy reference. Share it with colleagues.

Denise:)

ELL TEACHER PROS

HAVE FUN WITH HISTORY! See How Future Was Viewed in the Past:)

If you teach English literature, world history, science, or US history, you will truly the benefits of weaving in some of the material from this history site. Every major period from the 1700's to date is covered with free videos. Almost every topic you can envision is represented here.

Now, due to its size, I have pulled out only one area for this post and that is the world of science fiction. You will find unique views of what people in the past envisioned the world of the future to be. There is even a full length play from 1954 on George Orwell's 1984. RETRO FUTURE

The material here can easily supplement any content class material (including ELD/ESL). Every possible writing style can be used here: description, narration, comparsion/contrast, persuasive essay, and expository. Have students make their projections on life in 100 years. Through cooperative learning, model writings, video support with lots of think-pair-share and small group interaction, mind maps, and word walls (GOOGLE SEARCH WITHIN THIS BLOG WILL OFFER DETAILS ON EACH), ELLs will have the linguistic tools to write! Of course, it won't be perfect with the first draft, but through the drafting process along with peer editing and teacher one-on-one conferencing, the ELL will be able to generate a solid essay. Solid writing skills transfer to better grades, admittance to university/college, and good career choice opportunities in life.

Explore the future from the past:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

FREE AND SIMPLE TO USE TEACHING TOOLS FOR ELLS AND EOS:)

Here are two more sites that should make your job a bit easier in creating materials to support your ELLs as well as your EOs:) Both are free as well.

TEACHER TOOLS covers all three levels of English proficiency: beginners, intermediates, and advanced. Here you can create not only the activities, but also the answer sheets. This definitely saves time for the teacher. All basic areas of grammar are covered as well as sentence word scrambles (practice for ELLs on word order within sentences) and paragraph organization (sentences need to be arranged in order to make a cohesive paragraph). All the teacher has to do is input the material to be learned. Another bonus here is that teachers can create assessments include multiple choice and true false tests! EOs who occasionally struggle with language would benefit from this as well.


CLOZE CREATOR is another favorite. This tool works with any grade level. Both ELLs and EOs can use it. Teachers can differentiate the assignment easily here by inputting reading passages of varying difficulty OR by using the same reading passage with a word bank for the ELLs but not for the EOs. Reading material from ANY CONTENT AREA can be used here. With this tool, teachers can boost academic vocabulary and strengthen reading skills. Reading academic textbooks might become a bit less overwhelming with time and the support of the teacher:)

I hope these two sites meet your needs:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS