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It is important that the same time and effort education systems spend on GT kids is also spend on ELL students. Very similar methods can be used to better education for ELL students. The way the CogAT is set up is very effective for alternative ways to test students intelligence. ELL students deserve the same kind of adaptable tests.

As a future educator, I want to use tests such as this one for my ELL students to see what they are retaining in the class, rather than providing them with basic standard testing.

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2023 Edition
Try our free CogAT practice questions and answers with instant scoring.
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a K-12 test assesses students' learned reasoning abilities in the three areas: Verbal, Nonverbal and Quantitative. The CogAT is often used in admissions decisions for Gifted and Accelerated school programs.

Instant Scoring in this practice test is broken down by grade level so you have a choice of doing all the questions or just the grade level that is applicable to your child.

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Take this Free CogAT Practice Test with instant scoring and breakdowns by grade level.

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This type of observation form is beneficial for teachers to truly understand students on a whole level rather than just a surface level. Students especially ELL have way more depth than can be discovered due to a language barrier.

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Duolingo is an app as well as website that is not only engaging but beneficial to ELL students. One of my favorite online resources for language learners is Duolingo because it is so well thought out and heavily used that it is well rounded. Duolingo offers a multitude of tools for students to use such as also having an app filled with language games for students to use to practice.

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Duolingo is the world's most popular way to learn a language. It's 100% free, fun and science-based. Practice online on duolingo.com or on the apps!

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Another online tool I would use is lyrics training as a way for students to learn basic words as well as some more advanced ones while having some fun. Lyrics training is an app that has missing words to lyrics of songs it can be as simple as one word or an entire sentence. This is a fun reward for students to use during free time that would also be engaging and fun for them.

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Thousands of music videos and lyrics are waiting for you. Learn English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Japanese, Turkish and more.

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This method is not the most engaging method but can be effective if started a young age and done in a proper way. For this method, I would have students say the word in their home language and then immediately tell them the word in English. This can be started with classroom objects and then advance each week. For younger kids this is for sure an effective way to teach new words.

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Refers to learning the language to actually communicate in the target language with other speakers. This method is beneficial if students are in an area where they need to be able to speak English outside of school rather quickly. Learning communicative words of a language is more socially applicable to a students life thus more beneficial than just memorizing words for a grade. Thus, I would approach with this form of teaching so I can better the lives of my students even outside of the classroom.

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This approach emphasizes the targeted methods used to meet affective, linguistic, and cognitive needs of ELL students. This is one of the most commonly used methods because it can focus on the students need to move them to the next level in standard education practices. This method is one I intend to to do more research on because I feel like this will be more common in the education field.

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This is similar to CBLI instruction but focuses more on making instruction that makes content comprehensible for students while also supporting language development. Sheltered instruction is more specific to the students in the classroom so I would like to use this method if I have enough time to direct this for my students.

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Also known as the "iceberg model", this is essentially breaking down the words into two parts. One part are the BICS words which are smaller more surface level words and the other part are CALP words that are the larger as well as deeper parts of a language. This model does a great job on focusing that language is a multi level dynamic so breaking it apart can make it easier to digest for students.

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Cognates are words that have a similar sound or spelling in both languages. Using cognates to help students understand words of another language is a method I was taught while I was in high school. I strongly approve of this method and intend to use this in my classroom because these words are the words that students will typically remember more than others.

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Formative assessments is that for ELs it can be used to monitor several different linguistic aspects of their learning. Growing up formatives were just quizzes and busy work for me as a student so the fact that it could be used for such importance surprised me. I never thought a formative could evaluate several different aspects of a student's learning. I learned that informal assessments can be used to gauge students' understanding of the state mandated objectives and provide the teacher with feedback on what needs to be taught again. I plan to incorporate formative assessments for ELs in my lesson plan by creating a formative that is flexible.

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I would like to create a format that does not restrict ELs and I can view their learning of the topic and separate it from their learning of a new language. For beginner learners, I would have them complete a formative that is very straight forward such as a true or false statement or short multiple choice. This would allow me to ensure they are understanding the topic without forcing them to rely heavily on understanding a new language. For intermediate to advanced I would only make slight adjustments to the vocabulary for them but overall the same formative as other students. For anyone above, no modifications for formative. Lesson plan is coming along well, still looking to make sure I picked the right assessment for this topic. I am a little unsure if my assessment will be good enough for students. I used think pair share because I feel like this really allows students to be open with help unlike if they had to ask teacher for help every time.

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Summative assessments are used to evaluate students, not just get them grades. This makes sense because one needs to know where the student is at in processing a new language. However the static way these tests are given may not do the best job at helping gauge where these students really are. I learned how the STAAR testing works for ELL students and that they get adapted versions of the tests so they can complete it to the best of their ability. If I could change one thing about how ELLs are tested it would be to change it from static testing to more dynamic so they could be gauged more correctly on where they are in learning. Some could be advanced in math but because they are given tests in English they test poorly and get left behind which is unfair.

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I would use Jigsaw activities for summative because these allow for an alternative way for students to be tested. Static testing is not the only way to evaluate ELL students because they need a more dynamic learning process. They are learning twice as much as other students because they have to learn once in their native language and then again in English. Thus, the jigsaw method where students are divided into groups then each group does research on a certain topic then presents them to the class would be an effective way to evaluate true learning.

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Scaffolding instruction involves ways such as content, materials, task, teacher and peer support to help a student understand. Scaffolding is necessary to make sure that the unique learning that is required for each individual student is acquired. An example of a scaffold can be a simple as labeling items across the room.

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Teaching academic vocabulary paired with vocabulary that will help them outside of the classroom is key. Vocabulary alone is not enough to truly benefit language learning but using forms such as duolingo or quizlet or lyrics from songs can help students pick up extra vocabulary.

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One idea that seems to be forgotten at times is how math and language are intertwined especially when word problems are in effect. For students to grasp math fully they must have a strong grasp of the language. Thus, math teachers can not just overlook the fact that the student maybe new to the language. This idea is super important and relevant so I placed this in my toolkit as a reminder to never neglect a student even in a subject where language may not be as heavy.

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There is different math instruction in different countries therefore, students need to be approached as such. For example, finger counting as well as algorithms may look differently to new students. Understanding this concept is essential for future ELL teachers to reach their students.

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If a science teacher can apply these abstract concepts that science approaches to real life then this deepens a students knowledge of it. Students are more likely to remember a topic when applied to their everyday life. Also teachers should ask the students their point of view of the concept rather than telling the students what to believe.

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Using hands on inquiry based activities will allow the students the chance to learn in a classroom without the restraints of language in the way. Inquiry makes concepts more meaningful as well as adaptable for ELL students.

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How to approach teaching Social Studies to ELL students

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How to approach teaching Social Studies to ELL students

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Social studies can be a difficult topic considering that the ELL students are not going to have American views on culture or other parts of the world. Hence why it is important for teachers to approach social studies by asking students their opinions and having more of an open discussion for opinion based topics that are not just fact. Also having students verbally respond to the questions will help the engagement as well as help with language acquisition.

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Social studies can be directed through visual aids for ELLs which can help them make connections they may not make with just words. The language barrier is not as much of an issue as well through the use of visual aids.

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To write an effective language objective it is important that a teacher relates the language objective back to TEKS as well as the TELPAS for ELL students. Look for certain verbage used and repeat that in learning objective so students can make the connection.

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Teachers need to ensure that their learning or language objective is made clear to the students so that they understand what is being asked of them to complete. Also this can be a reference tool for ELL students to see if they need to be advancing in where they are currently with the language.

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LPACs stands for Language Proficiency Assessment Committee and they are the voice that determines the best instructional programs for the students. This is composed of many educators as well as their home life adults. All the choices this committee makes impact the student, therefore it is important that this group of people be chosen so carefully.

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LPAC responsibilities include...

Identification
Assessment & documentation review

Placement

Instructional methodologies and/or interventions
Collaboration

Annual review
Assessment decisions

Parental notification

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Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

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Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

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TELPAS is A federally required assessment program designed to measure the annual progress of ELL students and the education they receive. This keeps teachers moving forward with the progress of learning for the teachers. The ELPS are a major way to check progress and they are similar to TEKS for regular instruction. It is important for teachers to check the ELPS with their lesson plan to ensure the required learning for ELLs is taking place.

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PLDs are Rubrics that show the progression of second language acquisition from one proficiency level to the next and serve as a road map to help content area teachers instruct ELLs commensurate with students’ linguistic needs.

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Using this type of oral test can give a glance as to how the student is truly developing in the education system. One is graded on the rubric similar to the following and the overall score tells how the student is doing with the langauge.

Comprehension ___

Fluency ___

Vocabulary ___

Pronunciation ____

Grammar ____

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Allowing students the chance to discuss the learning going on in the classroom with groups is a great way to keep them involved and to keep them from falling behind.