1. Scaffolding Instruction for ELLs (Grades 3–9)
This PDF breaks down scaffolding strategies by grade — super useful for planning lessons that meet students where they are.
https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/bilingual-ed/intro-scaffolding-instruction-gr-3-10-a.pdf

2. Scaffolding Tools for Hybrid Learning
A set of printable tools and checklists for scaffolding, perfect for both in-person and online classes.
https://www.eteachny.org/ells-and-mlls/ells-in-distance-learning-or-hybrid-settings/

3. Funds of Knowledge: Using Students’ Backgrounds as Strengths
This article really helped me rethink how to use students’ home experiences in teaching instead of ignoring them.
https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2023-10/funds_of_knowledge_toolkit.pdf

4. Co-Teaching with ELs
A helpful video showing how general and ESL teachers can team up to support language learners better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7IfQ8oYPBA

5. How to Use WIDA Can Do Descriptors
This video breaks down how to use language proficiency levels to plan lessons — makes differentiation way easier.
https://wida.wisc.edu/teach/can-do/descriptors

6. What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?
A short video explaining how to make lessons meaningful and respectful of different cultures in the classroom.
https://www.nationalequityproject.org/culturally-responsive-teaching?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10389950117&gbraid=0AAAAAC0BhUByucfVW6ctsPof9kkgYDTDY&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgvnCBhCqARIsADBLZoJVrqhGAardU4rxNVhKkJXCGSIslmKh8G98cYatB09jGuc_2fBtj3caArjDEALw_wcB

8. Frayer Model Graphic Organizer
A great tool for vocabulary learning — students define, give examples, and draw, and pictures really do assist ELL students.
https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/frayer-model

9. Multilingual Word Wall Idea
Shows how to create a word wall that caters to students’ home languages and visuals to support understanding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHgoy6iZQpM

11. “My Language, My Story” Journal Prompt
A writing prompt that invites students to share their language journeys. It’s a meaningful way for them to express themselves.
https://www.mylanguagemystory.com/our-stories/

12. Diverse Books List for Classrooms
A list of books featuring multicultural and multilingual characters — great for making the classroom library more inclusivehttps://www.embracerace.org/resources/where-to-find-diverse-childrens-books?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22478811987&gbraid=0AAAAADIbbb2Ev9CmG2iFP6XZRTSDQF1Q6&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgvnCBhCqARIsADBLZoJU0lK_7AyRJf6RtAFucnZXOPw_WidvK8f95RzkPXVB1Cm3f6V00WcaAim2EALw_wcB

14. BICS vs. CALP (Cummins)
This explains why conversational language is learned much faster than academic language.
https://www.colorincolorado.org/faq/what-are-bics-and-calp

15. Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development
This shows how learn better with some support on tasks that are a little more advanced than what they can do independently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYF5HefF6wA

17. Learning for Justice
Great source for lessons on inclusion, equity, and anti-bias teaching. I find new ideas here all the time.

https://www.learningforjustice.org/

19. How to Scaffold Grade-Level Text
Tips and real examples for helping ELLs understand grade-level reading.

https://www.theliteracyarchitects.com/seven-strategies-to-scaffold-grade-level-texts/

20. 3 Quick Ways to Scaffold Lessons for ELLs
PBS helps explain simple and effective scaffolding strategies to support students’ input, interaction, and output.
https://my.pblworks.org/resource/document/english_learner_scaffolds_for_pbl?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22333475221&gbraid=0AAAAADvMOWaXzC-iYfejLn0-ie_v_voLs&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgvnCBhCqARIsADBLZoIanxm2UQjp7_wMPwB7cN2oFsGZmububhZ_eT4xJoaBlarlBOXXnvYaAoy8EALw_wcB