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This video from the Teaching Channel talks about how to introduce project based learning in your classroom particularly for classrooms with a heavy ELL population. Hands on, small group work is the main mode of instructional engagement. Although it focuses on a high school class, I think this can be transferred into an elementary classroom as well. Children need more than just words to look at. They need to be able to words and actions to hands on activities.

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

1. How does Deeper Learning happen in science with students who are new to English?

2. In what ways do students and teachers both leverage students' native languages as an asset for learning?

3. How does project-based learning lead to deep and integrated learning of language and content?

School Details

Flushing International High School
144-80 BARCLAY AVE
FLUSHING NY 11355

Data Provided By:

Teachers

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Supporting ELLs Through Project-Based Learning

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Jordan Wolf, a science teacher at Flushing International High School, describes how he designs projects to meet the content and language needs of his students. Jordan talks about how he simultaneously develops content and language skills through small group work, hands-on activities, and heterogeneous group work.

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Raz Kids is a great tool for the entire class. It is part of Reading A-Z and it provides leveled readings that students can listen to for modeled fluency, read books, and even record themselves reading so that teachers can monitor their fluency. Teachers are able to check students progress and make assignments. There is even a mobile app that will allow students to continue practicing at home if they want!

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Apps that support Vocabulary Acquisition

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Apps that support Vocabulary Acquisition

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The article below provides access to several gaming apps that support vocabulary acquisition. The games are interactive and require students to focus on reading, listening and involve plenty of repetition to help them master vocabulary with lots of positive reinforcement.

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Photo credit: leondel via flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

One of my favorite aspects of integrating technology into instruction is the availability of resources to support students with different learning needs. Students who are struggling can benefit from the excitement and engagement offered by a tool like the iPad. Teachers of English-Language Learners (ELLs) can use technology to promote growth in their students. Developing a strong vocabulary is an important area of focus for ELLs who are building their reading comprehension. Educators use a variety of strategies to grow readers in their classroom, and there are many free iPad apps that support vocabulary acquisition.

Kids' Vocab by MindSnacks

This is one of my favorite literacy apps for all students, and it is a great tool for ELLs. Kids' Vocab by MindSnacks introduces students to Tier 3, low-frequency, context-specific vocabulary words. Each set of words is organized around a theme and built on games that keep children excited about learning. With supports and positive reinforcement, students who struggle won't feel defeated, since words are repeated as they work toward mastery. The high-quality graphics and engaging activities will grab your students' attention as they increase their Tier 3 vocabulary.

English First High Flyers

EF High Flyers is an easy-to-use game that helps students learn new vocabulary words starting with numbers and everyday objects. After studying a set of words (with audio and picture support), they test their knowledge through spelling, vocabulary listening and reading quizzes. The emphasis on a variety of skills holds students accountable for having a comprehensive understanding of how to use each new set of words.

Flashcardlet

If you're looking for a way to load your students' iPads with custom vocabulary, check out Flashcardlet by Quizlet. It allows students to access decks of flashcards you've made right from their iPads. Quizlet is a free website where you can create flashcards decks based on your own list of words. Whether they correspond to the vocabulary in a social studies unit or simply help students learn new words, you can use this app to support a variety of ELL students. I love the feature on this site that lets teachers use one of Quizlet's definitions (instead of writing their own). It even has choices of images that teachers can match to their vocabulary words. Displaying pictures next to the vocabulary word and its definition will help students working to expand their English vocabulary. The Flashcardlet app loaded on your class' iPads (or iPod Touch) will let students swipe through the cards you've created on Quizlet, identify any words where they need extra practice, and monitor their own progress.

Futaba

A great game for 1-4 players, Futaba presents players with pictures of everyday items and asks them to name each object. Simple and fun, this is a game that encourages player competition to see who can choose the correct name for an item from a list of four choices. Whoever gets the most correct answers in one minute wins the round. Whether students are playing in groups or practicing solo, this game is sure to add new words to their vocabulary. Futaba also has an upgrade that offers customizable features.

Have you had success using technology to support English-Language Learners? What are some of your favorite apps?

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Free Apps to Support Vocabulary Acquisition by ELLs

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Photo credit: leondel via flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) One of my favorite aspects of integrating technology into instruction is the availability of resources to support students with different learning needs. Students who are struggling can benefit from the excitement and engagement offered by a tool like the iPad.

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I found this article very interesting because it modeled an “in flipped” classroom. Understanding that not all ELL students will have access to resources they need at home, the in flipped classroom model provides an equal opportunity for all learners.  A teacher first recorded herself reading aloud a book and then had students listen to the story on their laptops. The traditional “flipped classroom” has students watch lessons at home and come prepared to class the following day knowing the story and are ready for a classroom discussion.

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One of the most challenging aspects for educators of English language learners (ELLs) is accurately assessing language development over time -- oral language, in particular. Due to the conversational nature of language, it can be incredibly difficult to assess oral language while simultaneously engaging in conversation, not to mention recording the data as you go.

While the speaking and listening domains can be the hardest to objectively assess over time, reading and writing shouldn't be overlooked. ELL educators are always looking through two lenses -- content knowledge and English language development (ELD).

A few savvy strategies coupled with technology integration can enhance not only English language learning within the four domains (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) of ELD, but your assessment of language development over time as well.

The In-Flipped Classroom

When you're facing the teacher time crunch, the in-flipped classroom can be your best friend. A traditional flipped classroom has students watch lessons at home and come back to school for practice. Unfortunately, not all of our ELLs have the resources at home to make this model work. With an in-flipped classroom, students watch the lesson in school ahead of direct instruction. Whether you're a classroom teacher looking to push content ahead of a lesson, or a resource teacher looking to maximize your time, recording your lessons ahead of time can greatly impact the growth that your ELLs make.

The short video clip above is a read-aloud lesson that was taped before the teacher came into the class. Notice how the classroom teacher is able to monitor not only the students' on-task listening progress with the "Easter eggs" hidden in the video, but by asking the students to demonstrate actions from the video, the teacher can embed new vocabulary like "rapping on a desk" in an authentic way. When the teacher sits down, students are ready to dive into the discussion portion of the lesson, maximizing the amount of time ELLs can spend speaking and listening.

Videos like these can be used for reteaching or review, too. Students have the ability to take control of their own learning when they can independently access lessons they need to spend more time on. It's also particularly useful for fostering a home-school connection. When parents have access to lessons taught in class, they have a good understanding of what's happened during school and are better able to help at home.

Guided Reading

Primary ELL teachers know that reading, reading, and re-reading are the keys to early literacy success, but listening to every reader in a group can be a challenge. Round robin reading doesn't provide a natural reading setting, yet making sure every reader gets the attention they deserve can be difficult.

Luckily, there's an easy solution. Using PDF books with an app like Explain Everything gives early learners access to digital content in a kid-friendly way. Students can record themselves as they read, and you can go back later to assess their reading more closely and accurately with a running record. An added benefit? Students can listen to themselves reading and are motivated to read it again until it's perfect. It's a great way to motivate a reluctant re-reader!

While this is particularly useful in giving ELL students repeated exposure to new reading, it's a great trick for any reader. Don't forget to add a few blank pages at the end of the PDF. Students can write about their reading for a balanced literacy connection. Here are two examples that show different levels of kindergarten writing at the end of this guided reading book:

Formative Assessments

ELL teachers are always looking for authentic ways to assess what new vocabulary their students have learned in the course of a lesson. Why not have students record their learning as an exit ticket?

In the video above, you can hear all kinds of new academic language like disc, shaft, ramp, and wobbled. This student is also adding modifiers like red, beside, and straight to describe her experiment. We can hear her accurately using plural nouns, adverbs, and prepositions like across the room. By recording her response we have a clear understanding of not only this student's content knowledge, but also the sophistication of her English language development as well. Not bad for second grade!

Summative Assessments

Having students orally demonstrate their learning can be a great way for them to show what they've learned and to practice their oral language at the same time. However, for your shyest ELLs, it can be an intimidating experience. Why not let them try pre-recording their summative assessment ahead of time?

Students can add their own pictures and record their voices at the same time. This first-grade clip not only has a lot of academic vocabulary, but also gives the teacher a recorded example of how this child's English language development has progressed. Her use of language is sophisticated for a first grader, but she is misusing prepositions when she says, "This is a closer look of krils." It's a small mistake, but the perfect place for reinforcement on when to use of and at in English. For an older student, it might be the right place for direct instruction on the use of prepositions.

ELL teachers are always evaluating student progress through two lenses: assessing content knowledge and the progression of English language development. Why not use technology to make the task a little easier? Try these four strategies to accurately assess English language development over time.
For more ideas on helping your ELLs with English language development, see
What strategies do you find useful to evaluate both content knowledge and the progression of English language development? Share your ideas in the comments below.
____________________________________________________________ Jamie Ponce has been teaching primary and elementary English Language Learners in the Chicagoland area for more than 13 years. Currently, she is an Assistant Principal in Elmwood Park, Illinois. In this role, she supports the ELL and Bilingual Programs housed in her building. ELL and literacy skills, early intervention advocacy, and teacher-led schools are Jamie's educational passions. She earned her BA from the University of Iowa in English and Spanish literature, has an MAT from Rockford College in Bilingual and Multilingual Education, and an M.Ed in School Leadership and Administration from Concordia University. She has served as a third grade team leader, English Language Learner Facilitator, and mentor teacher as well. Jamie has presented regionally for the Illinois NCLB statewide conference, the Illinois State Bilingual Conference, and the #ECET2Chicago conference. In addition, she was a member of the #ECET2Chicago planning team. Connect with Jamie on Twitter:

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Technology Integration to Support Language Development in the Primary Classroom

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One of the most challenging aspects for educators of English language learners (ELLs) is accurately assessing language development over time -- oral language, in particular. Due to the conversational nature of language, it can be incredibly difficult to assess oral language while simultaneously engaging in conversation, not to mention recording the data as you go.

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The links below provide an overview of how teachers can support their English Language Learners through the use of different technology tools such as VoiceThread, Book Creator and Google Translate.

https://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-daily/2017/06/02/tech-tools-to-support-english-learners-literacy-and-language-development

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/supporting-ells-mainstream-classroom-reading-instruction

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Quality edtech for ELLs isn't easy to find, but great options do exist.

English-language learners (ELLs) come into our classrooms with a wide variety of specific and unique needs for language acquisition. It's hard to talk about them all as one group -- ELLs represent a diverse range of students in every sense. It's needless to say: Working with ELLs is often challenging and also highly rewarding.

Because there are so many apps and edtech tools available today, you might expect to find lots of them made specifically for ELL, bilingual, or dual-immersion classrooms. Unfortunately, this isn't the case: Tools designed specifically for English-language learners are few and far between (though there are definitely some out there).

There are, nevertheless, a lot of great edtech tools and strategies you can use with your ELLs, even if the tools themselves aren't ELL-specific. Some might even be tools you've already heard of or used -- with an ELL-specific use case that's been hiding in plain sight.

So, what's the best way to find and use great digital tools with your ELLs? A lot will depend on your students' specific needs, but here are a few things to think about when finding the best tools for your classroom.

1. Look for ELL-friendly supports in the tools you're already using.

Lots of online tools have built-in features to support differentiated instruction for a variety of learners. Newsela offers texts at five variable Lexile levels, many in both English and Spanish. ThinkCERCA offers leveled texts with scaffolding for students reading at different levels, including audio versions of texts. Though ELA-focused tools are most likely to have the best English-learning supports, plenty of other tools support ELLs' learning in other subject areas. Khan Academy is one popular example; the site offers a translated version of its activities for Spanish-speaking students. As you search, keep in mind that these tools are usually aimed at a more general student audience, so they may be better suited to intermediate or advanced ELLs, and beginning-level ELLs may need more robust support.

2. Build basic online resources and productivity tools into daily routines.

From basic translation to productivity tools for consumers, a lot of everyday apps and websites can be great for supporting ELL-centered learning activities. A tool like VoiceThread offers unique opportunities for speaking and listening practice. Simple English Wikipedia is just like it sounds: an adapted version of the standard Wikipedia site but for ELLs, younger students, or anyone else who might struggle with reading. A translation tool is an obvious choice, and Google Translate is generally thought to be the most accessible free option around.

3. Get creative and repurpose a digital-storytelling tool.

Storytelling is an excellent, interactive learning activity for ELLs and bilingual learners of all ages and language abilities. Even though these apps tend to be aimed at younger kids (and not specifically at ELLs), they still offer opportunities for kids to express themselves while they build new language skills. Don't be afraid to age these tools up; they're great even for older ELLs. And for beginning-level English-language learners, creative projects tend to offer opportunities for low-stakes (yet still high-concept) communication-based activities. For a more detailed look at these tools, check out this article from KQED's Mindshift blog. Also, keep in mind that lots of other digital-creation mediums can offer fun language-building practice, from video production to podcasting and digital design. Find something that suits your students' ages, language abilities, and interests.

Cheat Sheet: Amplify Your ELLs' Voices
4. Find tools that specifically address your ELLs' needs.

As mentioned earlier, tools designed only for ELLs are somewhat scarce, but there are definitely some options. These ELL-centric tools run the gamut. BrainPOP ESL offers a comprehensive online curriculum aimed at improving kids' language skills from beginning to advanced levels. Read&Write is a helpful text-to-speech app for students with a variety of literacy needs, including English-language learners. On the flip side, a platform like Ellevation is designed for teachers and uses robust data to track and monitor students' progress and language growth. As time goes on, we're bound to see more edtech solutions specifically for ELLs. It will be interesting to see what the future holds in this space.

5. Supplement instruction with an online language-learning tool.

Language-learning tools for travelers and consumers are everywhere and easy to find. Although these tools should never replace quality classroom instruction, for some students they could be a helpful option for extra practice or out-of-class enrichment. Because they're often aimed at a general -- mostly adult -- audience, these won't all be the best choice for kids' learning. Nevertheless, in certain situations, some language-learning apps could be appropriate depending on your students' needs. If you do go this route, look for free options that offer adaptive features that challenge students as their language skills grow. If recommending out-of-class use, keep your students' devices and level of network access in mind.

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How to Use Technology to Support ELLs in Your Classroom | Common Sense Education

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English-language learners (ELLs) come into our classrooms with a wide variety of specific and unique needs for language acquisition. It's hard to talk about them all as one group -- ELLs represent a diverse range of students in every sense. It's needless to say: Working with ELLs is often challenging and also highly rewarding.