https://padlet.com/barlasm/mc6pj9nhcor1 ELLs will learn more effectively in a safe, welcoming classroom environment that does not generate anxiety about performing in English (L2). en-us 2018-10-12 18:05:39 UTC 2018-10-12 18:21:16 UTC hello@padlet.com barlasm https://padlet.com/barlasm/mc6pj9nhcor1/wish/292304612 When newcomers enter a school, they need to be met with respect and experience an environment where all humans are valued and accepted.  They should see culturally representative messages and art, interact with caring and supportive school community members and leave with a sense that they too are part of our learning team.
All new students must be viewed as unique individuals and initial assessments should be used to determine individual strengths, needs and interests in order for teachers to develop a differentiated programming that promotes success in school. 

 Expectations

In order for learning to be relevant and students to feel a sense of empowerment, they must see themselves reflected in the daily learning.  This means critically examining the content of our teaching and the resources we use.  Culturally responsive teaching is necessary to the success of ESL learners : “The two elements of pedagogy that we found that seemed to make a difference for our most at-risk learners were intellectual depth and connectedness to the world;  that is, upping the intellectual demand, taking them to rich possible worlds, opening out the world to them, exploring ideas in depth. And on the other hand, showing them a connectedness between teachers are teaching and everyday life”  Source: (https://thelearningexchange.ca/projects/culturally-responsive/).

Resources

A wide variety of resources available can be used as culturally relevant content to support not only literacy, but curriculum areas such as social studies and science.  Students should see themselves, their culture and their language in the literature we choose ( eg. http://www.etfo.ca/BuildingAJustSociety/EquityResources/Pages/SocialJustice.aspx).  Utilizing  the expertise within our own buildings is also a great way to find resources in students’ home languages, visual material and simplified texts  (Teacher-librarian, ESL teachers, parents and guardians).  Techniques such as knowledge building circles and inquiry also foster student voice and promote engagement .(https://www.curriculum.org/LSA/about.shtml).




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