Tips for Developing Literacy Skills for ELLs by C Van Ryswyck https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe Theoretical Background and Strategies for teachers to use in a mainstream classroom. en-us 2017-11-04 20:00:44 UTC 2017-11-04 21:28:14 UTC hello@padlet.com Theoretical Background vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203567231 As teachers, when planning literacy lessons for our mainstream classes that include ELLs, we need to start by taking into consideration their prior learning, cultural, geographic, and linguistic background and their needs as learners. 

When ELLs are learning, we also need to keep in mind that they will draw on their first language as a reference and as a result, in order to understand where ELLs are in their learning process, teachers can develop an ongoing chart to track their progress while also ensuring that literacy instruction is meeting their needs. 

Another important factor to consider when teaching literacy to ELLs is the way in which the classroom material and lessons are scaffolded, differentiated and how they reflect the diversity in the classroom. We want our students to buy into what they are learning, but they will not do so if they do not feel a connection to their learning. As a result, get to know your ELL students: their interests, their cultural traditions, their first language etc. This will help you develop a safe space where learners can see themselves reflected in the classroom content.

Remember to choose texts that are varied in content and also different text types to allow students to work with a variety of text forms and subject matters. ]]> 2017-11-04 20:03:32 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203567231 Putting Theory into Practice vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203568912 Here is an example of how I got to know my students and demonstrates one way to welcome L1 into the classroom as a means of creating an inclusive classroom environment so that literacy skills can be developed. 
            
Near the beginning of the school year, two of my students, who both speak French and come from different countries in Africa, were teaching me about their countries and the history of the French language there. We had an in-depth discussion about colonialism and language and then I spoke what little French I know with them. Now, from time to time when having conversations with them we will say some things to each other in French, or I will tell them I am pleased to hear they are speaking about the class work, when they are doing so in French. This not only allows them to see that their first language is still welcomed in my classroom, it also creates a safe space whereby they know that while they are reading and writing in English, and often speak in English, they can also speak in French when developing ideas about the course readings together. 

This of course is just one strategy. My knowledge of Spanish is extremely limited and I have a lot of L1 Spanish speaking students in my class. I also took an interest in their experiences and welcome the use of Spanish when they are discussing course material. (I can tell when they are on task and off task by the way they are sitting, whether they are still working while talking, etc). I still want to create that safe space because I know how much it means to my students and that when they read and write and speak when doing group work, they are doing so in a way that develops their English language skills but they also have the opportunity to work together in their first languages when they want to. 

]]> 2017-11-04 20:24:13 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203568912 Classroom Environment vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203568981 When thinking about how best to develop student's literacy skills, you also need to consider the type of classroom environment you create. 

Here are some strategies that I adapted from “Supporting English Language Learners with Limited Prior Schooling: A Practical Guide for Ontario Educators Grades 3 to 12": 

- Create a consistent and safe space for students to learn in. 
-  Reflect the diversity in your classroom through text selection, classroom content, displays, and projects given to students. 
-  Understand that your student's needs go beyond academic needs. 
- Learn about your student's cultural, geographic and linguistic backgrounds.
-  Establish the buddy system to allow students to support one another. 
- Remember that there is not a one size fits all approach to teaching and learning.  
- Recognize that students come to our classrooms with a diverse set of experiences and academic backgrounds. ]]> 2017-11-04 20:25:24 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203568981 Strategies for Teaching Literacy vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203569560 In “Chapter 6 Literacy and the English Language" by Marjorie Hall Haley and Theresa Y. Austin, there are a number of helpful strategies for teachers to use when helping students develop their literacy skills.

- Anticipation Guides: help students to develop pre-reading and post-reading discussions and allows readers to share their experiences in a group.
- Dialogue Journal: allows the teacher and the student to carry on a written conversation. This can also be an effective way for teachers to give students feedback and complete an assessment as learning.
- Semantic Mapping: allows students to use visuals to convey their understanding of a text.
- Read Aloud: reading to students allows you the chance to pause and discuss the text while also asking questions to check comprehension in the moment.
- Think Aloud: students have the opportunity to discuss a text by making predictions or forming opinions of a text. This approach opens students up to multiple interpretations and gives them ideas to build off of when they are forming written responses to the text.
- Silent Reading: giving students ample opportunities to read on their own every day, allows them to develop their reading skills. Students should have the opportunity to read texts of their own choosing but should also be encouraged to try different text types. 


]]> 2017-11-04 20:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203569560 Questions to Ask Yourself vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203569574 Reflecting on your teaching practice is important when trying to ensure you are meeting the needs of your students. 

Here are some questions you could ask yourself as adapted from “Chapter 6 Literacy and the English Language":

-Am I giving students authentic reading experiences?
- Have I activated student's background knowledge and interests? 
- Does the course content serve a meaningful purpose?
- Am I giving students enough opportunities to work together and learn from each other? 
- Are the different languages and cultures in my classroom being valued? 
- Am I meeting the needs of all learners in my classroom? ]]> 2017-11-04 20:34:55 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203569574 Works Cited vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203569584 Hall Haley, Marjorie and Theresa Y. Austin. “Chapter 6 Literacy and the English Language.” Content-Based Second Language Teaching and Learning: An Interactive Approach. 2nd Ed. Toronto: Pearson, 2014. p 194-209. 
 
Ontario Ministry of Education. “Supporting English Language Learners with Limited Prior Schooling: A Practical Guide for Ontario Educators Grades 3 to 12.” The Ontario Curriculum, 2008. 
]]> 2017-11-04 20:35:03 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203569584 Resource Recommendations vanryswyck_cb https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203571954 The Reading Rockets websites includes numerous app suggestions for different categories of literacy development such as: comprehension; dyslexia and learning disabilities; language and communication; multimedia composition, phonics and more.
http://www.readingrockets.org/literacyapps

Here is a book recommendation for teachers to read: Teaching Reading to English Language Learners: Insight from Linguistics by Kristen Lems, Leah D. Miller and Tenena M. Soro. ]]> 2017-11-04 21:13:46 UTC https://padlet.com/vanryswyck_cb/r3fzhvq70tqe/wish/203571954