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For those who use Google Drive, having your students learn and use this tool is great. Here is a tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhUXXBrXWOc

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http://www.dreambox.com/canada

Dreambox is an online software provider that focuses on mathematics education at the elementary and middle school level. The teacher inputs the age and achievement level of each student can track their progress daily. Students enter a password to access a variety of math games and quizzes suited for their age group! (Mary Deltin)

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https://www.kiddle.co/
Kiddle " is a visual search engine for kids powered by Google, offering safe kids web, image, and video search. Results are vetted by editors."
Kiddle is a search engine much like Google, but it is designed for use by kids! Kiddle blocks out ads, and any images or information content that would be considered inappropriate for young children.  (Mary Deltin)

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https://kahoot.com/
Kahoot is a site that allows a large number of students to compete against eachother in a trivia-type game setting. Students can work independently or in teams to answer a series of questions based on a number of topics. Teachers also have the ability to create their own quiz and questions! (Mary Deltin)

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Resources:

http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/bics_calp.php

Explaining BICS and CALP  by Judie Haynes

http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesELL/WebCasts_WebClips/Video/Webcasts/AssociatedFiles/AnIntroductiontoSupportingELLs2017.pdf

An Introduction to Supporting English Language Learners in Ontario Schools
(Dom)

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Speaking pal English Tutor is an online and mobile interactive language app. It helps develop and improve the language skills of ELL's through various communication methods such as role playing and conversational dialogue. The app also features interactive videos as well as a progress page to track the improvement of app users. Speaking Pal also uses voice recognition and provides feedback on your dialogue.

-Amal

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Grammar up is a mobile app that allows students to build on their grammar skills. The app demonstrates how the rules of the English language apply in everyday sentences and phrases. There are also many opportunities in the app for learning new vocabulary, transitions, verb tenses, as well as example sentence structures.

-Amal

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Scholastics reading program is an online platform available for students, teachers, and parents. It promotes and encourages the reading and comprehension skills of all learners. It can be especially useful for ELL's because it tracks growth, reading level, WPM, and comprehension questions. Scholastics also allows parents and teachers to track the progress of the students as well as assign quizzes and tests.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/ReadAbout/overview.htm

-Amal

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The seven sacred teachings is a great way to incorporate First Nations learning under a Character development lens. Not only does it provide insight into First Nations learning, it provides us with a different perspective in tune with the truth and reconciliation direction our Country is going in

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Link the Seven Sacred Teachings to "big ideas" of character and citizenship education, such as character, community, cooperation, courage, fairness, friendship, honour, respect, interdependence, justice, loyalty, commitment, responsibility, sharing and love.

Provide a space in the school or classroom that highlights "Everyday Teachings" and celebrates everyday actions and stories that students experience or observe in the school and community.

Encourage students to transfer the Seven Sacred Teachings to their learning experiences across different subject areas.

Create opportunities to interact and be good citizens: cooperative learning, peer leadership, supportive clubs, student council, social justice projects, service learning and ceremonies.

Ideas for partnering between grade levels

Assign specific Teachings to different grade levels in your school. Encourage students in grade levels to share stories, experiences, questions and inquiries around their value and with each other. For example, Grade 1 students may focus on kindness all year and Grade 6 students may focus on a more sophisticated value such as leadership.

Build a literature collection with varied reading levels that exemplifies each of the Teachings. Have students in specific grade levels select and share examples of the values illustrated in a piece of literature as well as what this value would "look like" in different types of situations.

Invite students in one grade level to interview students in another grade level. Encourage students develop interview questions about experiences that relate to the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Have students partner up with students from another level to co-create an illustrated story about a particular value from the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Ideas for developing school-wide themes

Develop a schedule of monthly themes for a single school year, or sets of core values that are highlighted over a three- or four-year cycle.

Break down a core value into four related values that can be introduced weekly to support and build on an overall monthly theme. For example, an overarching monthly theme on kindness might incorporate a weekly focus on related values such as helpfulness, patience, thankfulness and tolerance.

Develop an annual theme, centered on the Seven Sacred Teachings, such as the Year of the Beaver or the Year of Courage. Reinforce all values inherent in the Seven Sacred Teachings, but focus on the value of the year.

Focusing on desired student behaviours

Identify the behaviours and choices that might be associated with each of the Seven Teachings.

Find examples of behaviours and actions that support the Seven Sacred Teachings in stories about the school or the community.

Share and celebrate positive behaviours and actions and provide opportunities for students to look at the rippling effects that positive behaviours can have on self and others.

Deepen understanding of the Seven Sacred Teachings by exploring specific behaviours that demonstrate and support the relevant core value. For example, enhance students' understanding of respect by discussing and practicing behaviours, such as using respectful language, demonstrating kindness, supporting others, inviting others to contribute and showing appreciation.

Hold class meetings to share and explore ways that values and associated behaviours can be exemplified in the classroom and the school. Use the class meetings to tackle dilemmas or challenges that can be resolved with positive behaviours, modeled on the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Invite students to maintain a journal; a space for reflection on their personal values, behaviours and actions. Provide reflection questions that focus on the link between core values and students' behaviours or actions.

Reward or recognize students who exemplify desired behaviours.

Ideas for teaching

Focus on, discuss and explore the meanings and experiences reflected in each of the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Plan to integrate the Seven Sacred Teachings into a variety of teaching and learning activities.

Encourage students to reflect on personal meanings and connections inherent within each of the Seven Teachings.

Encourage students to transfer the Seven Sacred Teachings to their learning experiences across different subject areas.

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Seven Grandfather Teachings First Nations Métis Inuit Student Education Resources Alberta Educators

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Link the Seven Sacred Teachings to "big ideas" of character and citizenship education, such as character, community, cooperation, courage, fairness, friendship, honour, respect, interdependence, justice, loyalty, commitment, responsibility, sharing and love. Provide a space in the school or classroom that highlights "Everyday Teachings" and celebrates everyday actions and stories that students experience or observe in the school and community.

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This is actually a website that discusses world events and social justice issues in an easy to read text. I used it for my community circle lessons while teaching grade 7/8 and my ELL learners loved it!

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It may seem obvious, but Google has some amazing tools for ELL to translate English into their first Language. I allow my Grade 7/8 students to use it whenever they want to help translate tricky terms from the curriculum.

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Google’s service, offered free of charge, instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.

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KidsTV123 is a channel on Youtube has many fun songs about letters, colours, and numbers!
Naveera Siddiqui

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Songs for children. Kids songs. Educational songs and videos for children, toddlers and babies.

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Very loud and colourful monsters grabs children’s attention. It can be a bit annoying as students love screaming the sounds out loud just like the monsters! Here is a video of an example how the app can be played by children.

Naveera Siddiqui

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Endless Alphabet: Educational App for Kids

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This website provides children from Kindergarten to Grade 5 a variety of educational games anywhere from letters, numbers, colours etc. Can be a bit difficult for students who are just learning how to use the mouse or touch pad on a computer.

Naveera Siddiqui

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ABCya! * ABCya! * Learning Games and Apps for Kids

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Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games... and more!

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1.Starfall
http://www.starfall.com/

Through games, this site teaches basic English phonetics and sounds, reading and writing skills.

2.Reading Rocket Tips for Teaching ELL
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/five-things-teachers-can-do-improve-learning-ells-new-year

This document provides 5 suggestions to improve learning for ELL's, including: increasing language production and peer interactions; teaching English language vocabulary and structures; Build on ELLs' background knowledge to increase comprehension; increase parent involvement; and increase writing opportunities.

3. Brain Pop ELL
https://educators.brainpop.com/video/brainpop-ell-intro-screencast/

This is a link to a video explaining a bit of the site. It has activities for kids, such as videos, “hear it and say it,” vocabulary words, flash cards, grammar lessons, and quizzes. It also has lessons and resources for teachers. There is a website and an app.

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Writing a Paragraph with high school ELLs

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Writing a Paragraph with high school ELLs

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A quick digestible video that emphasizes the importance of guidance and modelling to ELLS, especially those who are required to organize and express big ideas and concepts. This video walks you through what should be done and why putting this into practice is so important in us helping ELLs and ELDs to learn to write properly.
(Posted by: Michael Sartor)

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Writing a paragraph with high school ELLs

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Available in Web Browser or App format, Duolingo offers a structured means of learning and practicing new languages for both beginners and those familiar with a language. Outside of structured games and activities, learners can further their learning through Stories and Podcasts or meet fellow learners by connecting through the Duolingo Events feature.
(Posted by: Michael Sartor)

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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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An excellent language learning app that offers structured learning activities, feedback and progress, and provides challenges as language skills improve. App can be set to run in the native language of the learner so that they have feedback and can draw connections with their L1.
(Posted by: Michael Sartor)

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Hi, there. Welcome to Memrise web. We also have an app!

Create an account today to use across multiple devices and:

Learn wherever you are - even without data or WiFi (app only)

Practise your speaking with pronunciation exercises (app only)

Choose from over 22 languages

Watch video clips of local speakers using real-life language

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Create an account today to use across multiple devices and: Learn wherever you are - even without data or WiFi (app only) Practise your speaking with pronunciation exercises (app only) Choose from over 22 languages Watch video clips of local speakers using real-life language

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Clicker Sentences (post by: Connie Gaglia)

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Clicker Sentences (post by: Connie Gaglia)

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Clicker Sentences is a great and engaging tool for students to assist them in developing literacy skills around sentence construction and formation.  When first granted access to the Clicker Sentences program, students are usually able to learn the framework of the program very quickly and with confidence.

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Google Docs, Google Images, and Google Translate (post by: Connie Gaglia)

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Google Docs, Google Images, and Google Translate (post by: Connie Gaglia)

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Google Docs is often used within the classroom.  Independently, and at their own pace, students can use Google applications to access various areas of curriculum.  The Google Docs voice typing feature allows students to produce work both of greater quality and quantity as they can seamlessly, and accurately, speak to type.  In addition, while reading, students can use Google Images as a visual dictionary and form of research.

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Read & Write Gold (post by: Connie Gaglia)

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Read & Write Gold (post by: Connie Gaglia)

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Read & Write Chrome Extension is typically used in conjunction with Google Docs.  Students can use Read & Write to listen to instructions, individual questions posed, and to reread their own work.

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http://capl.washjeff.edu/about.php
offers images demonstrating the true meaning of the word, making it easier for English language learners to understand.
http://a4esl.org/
teacher contributions can be found on this site full of quizzes, exercises, and tests for teaching English as a second language.
https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/19579822/English-for-ESL-Students
This is a form of learning that works well to help students get acquainted with basic terms and words in the English language.

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https://www.visualthesaurus.com/vocabgrabber/
Type the text directly into the text box and voila! The words are "grabbed" or organized in comparison to the frequency of these words in standard written English. VocabGrabber can be used with any type of text: a newspaper article, a book chapter, a speech, or a historical document.
Jeremy D'Souza

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VocabGrabber : Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus

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VocabGrabber lets you automatically create lists of vocabulary from any text.

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http://videos.newsela.com/watch/DcD9SWSCvjRL6VwpWK4MhD?aliId=454305105

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNCn1UOkYwM

Newsela - advertised as "reading evolved" Newsela is a rich, online platform tailored in real-time to provide differentiation while everyone reads the same text.  Subject domains are broad and include: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc.  Stories are student-friendly and can be accessed in different formats by reading level.  Teachers of Learning Support and ELL students will love this alternate way for their students to meet current events requirements.
[Most features are FREE - though there is fee based upgrade PRO version available - mostly for teachers and administrators to track students progress]

Jeremy D'Souza

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XpressLab is an easy-to-use web-based language proficiency testing & eLearning solutions that makes creating, delivering and evaluating assessments easier.

BEST OF ALL...it's a FREE license to Ontario Certified Teachers (just use you school board email address to register here:
https://app.xpresslab.com/TeacherSignup )
Jeremy D'Souza

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A confirmation e-mail was sent to the e-mail address specified when creating your account. You must verify your account by clicking on the link provided in the confirmation e-mail before you can login.

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Starfall.com is an interactive website that helps children with to learn to read, basic math skills, shapes, and phonics. The website is broken up into four sections for reading ABC's, Learn to Read, It's Fun To Read, and I'm Reading. The four sections address the different stages of learning development. The website is very easy to use and it is very engaging. Overall, it is a great resource to use with ESL students. Website:

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Starfall.com is an interactive website that helps children with to learn to read, basic math skills, shapes, and phonics. The website is broken up into four sections for reading ABC's, Learn to Read, It's Fun To Read, and I'm Reading. The four sections address the different stages of learning development. The website is very easy to use and it is very engaging. Overall, it is a great resource to use with ESL students. Website:

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http://www.starfall.com/
Ashley Vadum

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ABCya is a teacher-created website with  free educational computer games and mobile apps for children.  The games are broken down by content and grade level. All of the games are interactive, easy to use and visual. The categories of the games are letters, numbers, skills (shapes, social studies, art), strategy and Holidays. It focuses on common core strands and is extremely engaging. Overall, it is a great resource to use with ESL students.
Website:
http://www.abcya.com/
Ashley Vadum

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mPower offers students guided, learner-centric math problem-solving experiences set in a variety of creative and age-appropriate worlds that reflect Ontario’s communities. The program is based on the Ontario curriculum and it was developed in partnership with Ontario educators and students. The program is visual and supports the development of global competencies. It is also learner-centric and assessment-driven. Overall, it is a great resource to use with ESL students. Website:

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mPower offers students guided, learner-centric math problem-solving experiences set in a variety of creative and age-appropriate worlds that reflect Ontario’s communities. The program is based on the Ontario curriculum and it was developed in partnership with Ontario educators and students. The program is visual and supports the development of global competencies. It is also learner-centric and assessment-driven. Overall, it is a great resource to use with ESL students. Website:

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https://mpower.tvo.org/educators/#/login/
Ashley Vadum

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FluentU                                                  Takes real world videos, like music videos, commercials, news, cartoons, and inspiring talks and turns them into English language experiences. Uses a natural approach that helps teachers ease students into English language and culture over time. Helps students to learn English as it’s spoken in real life, focused on assisting students with their BICS.                                                                              

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FluentU                                                  Takes real world videos, like music videos, commercials, news, cartoons, and inspiring talks and turns them into English language experiences. Uses a natural approach that helps teachers ease students into English language and culture over time. Helps students to learn English as it’s spoken in real life, focused on assisting students with their BICS.                                                                              

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(Vanessa Notte)

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SpeakingPal English Tutor Interactive app that offers various exercises including dialogue with a virtual character, role-playing and a series of mini lessons. It comes with speech and language recognition and provides instant feedback to students to help teach and improve English learning. Each session is two minutes long; it provides quick and fun learning experiences for students. Features of this program include: interactive video dialogues, voice activation (uses speech recognition), allows students to control the dialogue flow with their answers, receive feedback on how well the student spoke, colour-coded scoring for easy evaluation, provides a progress page to track each students improvement and allows students and teachers to share their recordings and scores with friends or other colleagues. 

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SpeakingPal English Tutor Interactive app that offers various exercises including dialogue with a virtual character, role-playing and a series of mini lessons. It comes with speech and language recognition and provides instant feedback to students to help teach and improve English learning. Each session is two minutes long; it provides quick and fun learning experiences for students. Features of this program include: interactive video dialogues, voice activation (uses speech recognition), allows students to control the dialogue flow with their answers, receive feedback on how well the student spoke, colour-coded scoring for easy evaluation, provides a progress page to track each students improvement and allows students and teachers to share their recordings and scores with friends or other colleagues. 

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(Vanessa Notte)

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English LaunchPad         It allows teachers to keep track of students’ learning progress and also maintains a register that helps teachers track their individual or group progress. Features of this app include: grammar structures, virtual whiteboard, lesson plans, translator, practice exercises, quiz generator, student register, student tracking and flash cards.

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English LaunchPad         It allows teachers to keep track of students’ learning progress and also maintains a register that helps teachers track their individual or group progress. Features of this app include: grammar structures, virtual whiteboard, lesson plans, translator, practice exercises, quiz generator, student register, student tracking and flash cards.

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(Vanessa Notte)

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How to learn English with your young child

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How to learn English with your young child

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https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/how-to-learn-english-with-your-young-child.html
(Ying Chung)

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12 Ways to support English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom

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12 Ways to support English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom

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https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/supporting-esl-students-mainstream-classroom/
(Ying Chung)

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Seven Teaching Strategies for Classroom Teachers of ELLs

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Seven Teaching Strategies for Classroom Teachers of ELLs

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http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/seven_teaching_strategies_clas_06140.php
(Ying Chung)

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This is an app created by Cambridge University. It is incredible easy to navigate and learn.

Its aim is to teach English Grammar to students through quizzes and timed challenges. (Djordje Vulic)

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Improve your grammar skills with LearnEnglish Grammar, the #1 educational mobile app.

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I've had plenty of success using noredink in the classroom, especially in secondary school English.

The aim of the program is to teach students to become better writers by providing them with content that appeals to them and their interests, rather than old-timey worksheets.

Another benefit is that you can track the progress of the students and incorporate it into their overall grade

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Unlock Every Writer's Potential | NoRedInk

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NoRedInk offers authentic assessments, adaptive practice, personalized content, and actionable data to improve your students' writing and grammar skills!

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Who doesn't love a good game of association?

Although it's not exclusively an ELL game, it is great for having students learn synonyms and possibly mime the actions of the words displayed. I've always had fun using it in my classes when I've supply taught. (Djordje Vulic)

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Shadow Puppet allows students to create videos. However, there are many features in the app that allows for many creative uses such as counting using a tap to highlight pointer!

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Image Search Expands Video Making Possibilities

Built-in image search makes it easy to create videos, even when you don't have the right images on your device. Find the perfect images to include in history reports, science concept explanations, and more.

Access image search from the photo selection screen.

Educational Image Search Sources:

You can search these image catalogs and select images to include in your videos just as if they were in your camera roll.

For additional information about each image search source, including copyright info and lesson ideas click here >>

Image credits are automatically added to videos.
Simple Image Citation

When you share or export, image credits are automatically added to the end of all videos that include web images and maps, so students can learn about citing their sources. Image citation is on by default and can be disabled in the Shadow Puppet settings menu.

Safe Search & Option to Disable Search

Web searches use the strictest image search settings available from the search provider and we have additional safe search filters layered on top to make sure the content served is appropriate for students.

Administrators can disable Web Image Search and/or Educational Image Search in the device's Settings app.

Map Search
Search for a location, toggle between map or satellite view, drop pins, and then snap a photo of the map to include in your video. Do a capital city scavenger hunt, identify geographic formations, or create a family heritage map.

Famous Landmark Gallery
Use our Famous Landmarks gallery as a jumping off point for a report on an important natural or man-made landmark, to give context around a historical event, or discuss the belief systems of different cultures.

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Shadow Puppet Edu | Shadow Puppet App for iPhone & iPad

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Built-in image search makes it easy to create videos, even when you don't have the right images on your device. Find the perfect images to include in history reports, science concept explanations, and more. Access image search from the photo selection screen.

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Covers different topics of interest for young people. This is a resource created
by  blogger and English teacher Sapna Seghal.  She has included the level of English language proficiency and duration of each lesson along with warm-up questions, links to the talk, comprehension and discussion questions. ( Lorraine Spiteri)

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25 Complete TED Talk Lesson Plans for Your English Class

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A series of books (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing). The lesson plans, activities and suggestion are contributed by teaches from all over the world teaching English Language Learners. ( a video / audio posted by Lorraine Spiteri)

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Item Detail - New Ways in Teaching Speaking - Description

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This app works well for all students and especially well for those who might need constant but efficient ways to check their spelling and grammar. Grammarly goes beyond simple edit checks that programs like Microsoft word can offer!

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Generative AI assistance for any writing challenge Try It for Free ⟶

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Millions trust Grammarly's AI writing assistance to communicate with confidence and make writing faster and more delightful. Getting started is simple - download the app today.

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A great tool for Language Teaching and Learning.  It has a library of both free and paid audio books.  Listening to a book promotes language learning for ELLs.
(Lorraine Spiteri)

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Audible.com: Audiobooks & Original Audio | Free book with 30 day Trial

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Browse the largest selection of audiobooks anywhere with Audible. Listen to performances of your favorite books, exclusive Audio Shows, and premium podcasts. Free book with 30 day Trial! Keep your books forever, even if you cancel. Don't love a book? Swap it for free, anytime. Download the app and start listening!

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Although a well known app, google translate is fail safe app that ELL's can use . Google translate has also been adding new features like translating large texts in real time!

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Google’s service, offered free of charge, instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.

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Google’s service, offered free of charge, instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.

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Babbel lets you learn dozens of different languages. This learning website is easy to use and is one of the most popular language learning platforms available online. They have a Babbel app, allowing you to bring your courses on the go. With Babbel, you will be able to learn how to write with proper grammar, speak with proper pronunciations and much more.

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These inventive lesson plans teach ESL online by drawing inspiration from recent news and global affairs. Each lesson is packed with information about word usage, grammar, and more.
(Jake)

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Support English language learners with tools, resources, and research-based strategies to achieve success with social and academic English. Learning A-Z'sRaz-Plus ELL Edition provides reading, listening, speaking, and writing resources organized in content area topics at varying grade ranges.

The Raz-Plus ELL Edition combines all the resources of Raz-Plus, as well as a collection of WIDA, TESOL, and CCSS-aligned resources designed specifically for ELLs. With this online solution, you have access to hundreds of time-saving ELL-specific resources with integrated grammar and vocabulary support.
(Jake)

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ELL Edition | English Language Learners | Reading A-Z | Reading A-Z

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Award-winning reading solution with thousands of leveled readers, lesson plans, worksheets and assessments to teach guided reading, reading proficiency and comprehension to K-5 students

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Makerspaces allow students to verbally communicate with their peers as they build, while also reflecting independently in their learning journals. The process helps build students' confidence in the regular classroom.

- Edith Kovacs

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Credit: PAT MAIO / EDSOURCE TODAY

Educators are finding that the new "makerspace" movement - a strategy to teach K-12 students science, math and technology through hands-on activities - is providing the added benefit of helping English learners become more proficient in the language.

In makerspaces, students gather a few times a week in a separate classroom, library or museum for a group project using such technologies and materials as 3D printing, robotics, microprocessors, textiles, wood and wires to construct robots and other electronic gadgets. The teaching technique has been around since the early 2000s, and educators have applauded the idea for helping teach science, especially at a time when California and other states are phasing in the Next Generation Science Standards, which emphasize practical application of science over rote learning.

But now experts are also seeing makerspaces as a valuable tool for helping improve English, as children talk through their work in teams and keep journals to record their progress.

"This is our first full year of having a makerspace here. It's an effective use of time," said Ken Garcia, principal at Wilson Elementary School in Sanger, an agricultural town southeast of Fresno and one of the newer places where the maker movement has expanded.

Dale Dougherty, an author and publisher who launched Make Magazine in 2005and organized the first Maker Faire in 2006 in San Mateo, said makerspaces effectively build confidence with English learners so that they can become more successful academically overall.

"Generally, 'making' can engage English learner kids who don't do well, or fit well in the traditional academic setting, and are just behind," Dougherty observed. "A makerspace gives them the confidence to do things. My involvement in 'making' and education isn't to say we'll get more kids in Ivy League schools. But rather kids are bored, disengaged and defeated by a school system, and we can make good learners out of them."

He said that although English learners have no problem communicating with each other, they do have problems communicating with the teacher in a traditional classroom. "It's hard to demonstrate proficiency when they think of themselves as poor learners and the system designates them as such," Dougherty said.

At Wilson, about 49 percent of its 452 students in the 2015-16 school year were classified as English learners, and 95 percent as Latino, according to the latest available demographic information from DataQuest and the school. Many of the students are children of migrant farmworkers whose parents sometimes are forced to pull them out of school when employment opportunities arise elsewhere across California's Central Valley.

The school's 4th- and 5th-graders meet three mornings a week in an otherwise unused classroom as part of their regular science coursework. They use hammers, pliers and other tools to build projects, using such things as Styrofoam, wire, paper and screws.

In addition to learning science, Garcia said the makerspace has given English learners "a new way of engaging in English" as teachers encourage them to use complete sentences in talking through their collaborations and recording their observations in their journals.

"This is our first full year of having a makerspace here. It's an effective use of time," said Ken Garcia, Wilson Elementary's principal.

"I learned English by being in it, not just reading a worksheet or book," said 24-year-old Elizabeth Garcia, a teaching assistant at Wilson who is studying to become a biochemist at nearby Reedley College. "Here the students have an opportunity to learn English and not feel pressured in the classroom. A makerspace environment forces kids to interact."

Last week, a 4th grade class at Wilson completed work building a small animal robot - or "bot" - made of wood, wires, batteries and gears that had painted paper masks resembling coyotes, lions, pigs, rabbits and turtles. A bot is a rudimentary device that runs automated tasks powered by a battery. The devices made by students here shake, walk small distances and have blinking lights to simulate eyes.

"I love it," said Tania Braxton, a 4th grade teacher. "It's a lot different than teaching from a textbook. It allows students to explore and helps them to explain things through speaking and listening."

English learners agreed.

"I get to voice my opinion a lot more than before," 4th-grader Maelena Perez said in English.

"It's a lot of fun," said classmate Ariel Porras.

Journals are a key part of instruction. In one exercise, as students recorded their work, they were encouraged to refer to a word list posted on a classroom wall to ensure spelling accuracy.

"Expressing their ideas in notebooks is important. It's not just about tinkering," said Jerry Valadez, president of Community Science Workshop Network, which runs the Wilson makerspace and others in Fresno, Watsonville, Greenfield and Salinas. Of the English learner students, he added, "The makerspaces help these underserved kids believe that they can be scientists or an engineer. It allows them to walk with a little more confidence."

Valadez also is working with Fresno State University to set up a teacher-training program next summer for teachers to learn how to establish a makerspace at their schools. Valadez said he intends to hold the training at his science, art and music academy, SAM Academy for short, located a few blocks from Wilson Elementary.

He said that makerspaces are an effective way to reach out to English learners. "It's a way for them to verbalize the language instead of trying to learn English out of a textbook," said Valadez, who notes that the majority of his SAM Academy students are Latinos looking for ways to improve their language skills after school.

The makerspace movement has caught the attention of other higher education institutions, in part because of its benefits for English learners.

At Sonoma State University, one of the California State University system's 23 campuses, educators have begun developing the country's first " maker certificate" online program to help teachers in California form makerspace learning centers in their local schools. The university has been offering a 50-hour certificate program for the past two years, but now wants to expand it statewide by turning it into an online course.

Sonoma State is also in preliminary talks with three other CSU schools - Bakersfield, Monterey Bay and San Diego - to create partnerships for the program, according to Carlos Ayala, Sonoma State's dean of education. His school offers its maker certificate program in partnership with the local Sonoma County Office of Education, an arrangement that Ayala said he wants other CSU campuses to replicate.

"My long-term goal is to get this in teacher preparation programs in the CSU system across the state," Ayala said.

"Any time students come together and share knowledge, that creates an opportunity for learning English," he added. "That is a place where you will start seeing potential research come out in the future. It's pretty powerful."

Jessica Parker, a community manager with the Oakland-based Maker Education Initiative, which helps school districts form makerspaces, agreed.

"We are seeing 'maker' educators show up in droves to meet up with others," said Parker, who pointed to a doubling in one year of educators attending an annual maker educator convening conference in May.

She said makerspaces are a critical component in working with English learners. "I'm seeing them being established throughout the central and southern parts of California with that idea in mind," she said.

Last fall, San Diego State University began offering the first-ever master's level, three-unit course for creating makerspaces, according to Donna Ross, an education professor with the university's Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education.

"For English learners, a makerspace starts them with the hands-on piece and adds language as they need it. It's a more natural way to learn the language," she said. "You can memorize a lot of vocabulary (in a regular classroom), but if you need to explain what you're doing, you'll learn English better."

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'Makerspaces' for science instruction also proving helpful for English learners

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Credit: PAT MAIO / EDSOURCE TODAY Educators are finding that the new "makerspace" movement - a strategy to teach K-12 students science, math and technology through hands-on activities - is providing the added benefit of helping English learners become more proficient in the language.

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Use of discrepant events to teach science

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Use of discrepant events to teach science

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This document highlights the positive outcomes from using discrepant events to teach critical thinking skills for science.

This website (linked) provides some activity ideas.

- Edith Kovacs

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This document outlines difficulties that ELLs have with learning science, and provides examples of strategies like:

feature matrix

reading guides

semantic maps

anticipation or prediction guides

Frayer model

learning logs

- Edith Kovacs

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Create storyboard frames from photos, graphics, drawings or short video clips and record your voice to describe each frame. (Keli Ann)

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Interactive e-books with 29 different levels of books. ELL Teacher and Student Resources are also available. (Keli Ann)

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Free website that teaches basic English reading and writing skills.  Uses games and phonics to learn letter sounds. (Keli Ann)

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Kahoot! | Learning games | Make learning awesome!

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Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that brings engagement and fun to 1+ billion players every year at school, at work, and at home.

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Breaking News English - Easier News Lessons

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Breaking News English Lessons - 3,369 FREE Easy News English lesson plans. EFL/ESL graded news lessons, news in 7 levels, current events.

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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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Teachers can create their own set of cards with text and images to help students learn English. Great for learning vocabulary and building sentences.

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Students can trace, read, write, and record letter sounds, names, and phonograms in English.

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Students will learn words and objects by sound, vision, and touch and through the interactive "hear and find image" mode.