Toolkit of Resources for ELLs by Amanda Maldonado

Creating a Welcoming Classroom Environment

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 04:27:50 UTC

This article from Colorin Colorado gives guidance on how to accommodate different cultures and the challenges that ELLs may face. It reminds the educator of important things we may overlook like pronouncing a student's name correctly and includes videos that give guidance in different scenarios.

This resource supports best practices because by creating a welcoming environment ELLs will have a sense of security that allows them to focus on their academics and relationships.

Reference

How to create a welcoming classroom environment for Ells. (2023, August 25). Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/how-create-welcoming-classroom-environment

Strategies for Welcoming and Supporting ELLs

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 04:56:42 UTC

This article from Edutopia gives four strategies for educators to use in the classroom when working with ELLs. I like this resource as it has many articles in one. It also provides ways to collaborate with ELL specialists and gives book recommendations.

This resource supports best practices because as educators we have certain ethics that we must uphold and that involves having our student's best interests in mind. This article helps remind us to be tolerant, show empathy, and also think about other's perspectives.

Reference

Scott, R. (2015, May 26). Practices to welcome and support ells. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/practices-to-welcome-and-support-ells-robyn-scott

Communicating with Families

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 05:05:01 UTC

This article, unlike others, seems more like a checklist of things for educators to remember when communicating with families. As we go through the article we can feel confident that we are building strong relationships with the families of our ELLs through proper communication.

This article demonstrates best practices in that building relationships with our students and families is a priority. Knowing the needs of our students will help them succeed and having common goals between home and school will allow this to happen.

Reference

Breiseth, L. (n.d.). Communicating with ell families: 10 strategies for schools. NEA. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/communicating-ell-families-10-strategies-schools

Supporting ELLs

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 22:09:20 UTC

In this article from Grand Canyon University, we learn 4 different ways to support our ELLs in the classroom. The four ways to support include tips on communication and how to promote cultural awareness. It is also a guide on the importance of journaling and using visuals during instruction.

This article promotes best practices because it focuses on how we can assist our ELLs in meeting their goals and how to face possible challenges that may arise. Communication in the classroom has been shown to be a key factor in helping students reach their goals.

Reference

Ramirez Espinola, M. (n.d.). 4 ways to support English language learners. GCU. https://www.gcu.edu/blog/teaching-school-administration/4-ways-support-english-language-learners

6 Strategies for teaching ELLs

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 22:24:13 UTC

This article is a good resource because the strategies being utilized were made up of educators and observers who have first-hand experience working with ELLs and understand their needs. They take into consideration both the large and small needs of these students. It focuses on building relationships, language skills, patience, differentiation, and the use of the student's native language. It also incorporates both ELLs and non-ELs.

This is best practice as it is looking at the student as a whole, regardless of their English proficiency, and working to help them reach their goals. They are communicating and making education accessible.

Reference

Kaplan, E. (2019, April 12). 6 essential strategies for teaching English language learners. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-essential-strategies-teaching-english-language-learners/

Scaffolding Strategies

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 22:34:59 UTC

Scaffolding is one technique that can be utilized when providing instruction to ELLs. This article takes it a step further and provides 5 different ways to implement scaffolding. This article gives 5 different strategies to help us take a larger concept and break it into smaller categories so that it seems less overwhelming for our ELL students.

This article is best practice in that it helps educators encourage students to do their best rather than setting them up for failure by being overwhelmed and left without support.

Reference

Tower. (2023, March 15). 5 scaffolding strategies for Ell students. Continental Educational Publisher. https://www.continentalpress.com/blog/scaffolding-strategies-for-ell-students/

Writing Strategies

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 22:45:47 UTC

This article focuses on how to implement writing in the classroom for an ELL. Writing can be a struggle for any student but can be much more difficult for an ELL. This article provides guidance on how to assess where a student is before beginning and then provides strategies to scaffold the writing process to make it easier.

This promotes best practices in that research has shown that in-depth writing is another form of communication for students and encourages ELLs to communicate and connect what they have learned.

Resource

Continental. (2023, April 20). Writing strategies for ell students. Continental Educational Publisher. https://www.continentalpress.com/blog/writing-strategies-ell-students/

Reading Instruction

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 22:53:30 UTC

This article focuses on strategies to help ELLs read through the use of 10 different strategies. It focuses on how to incorporate and encourage reading in the native language first, how to teach phonics using skills that we already possess, and how to check for comprehension.

This is best practice in that it helps encourage ELLs and shows support and understanding of the continued use of their native language.

Reference

Portland Public Schools (OR). (n.d.). Supporting ells in the mainstream classroom: Reading instruction. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/curriculum-and-instruction/articles/supporting-ells-mainstream-classroom-reading-instruction

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 23:04:49 UTC

This article has many different resources in regard to using technology with ELLs. However, the most important thing it provides is videos that focus on what it is like as an ELL who has to use technology. ELLs may have to use it for vocab or during situations like COVID-19 when one must go remote.

This is best practice because it ensures that we are looking out for the best interest of all of our students, even in a time when we may not be able to be psychically there for them.

Reference

Breiseth, L. (2020, April 18). Technology & English language learners. Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/teaching-ells/technology-english-language-learners

Promoting Literacy through Technology

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 23:17:46 UTC

This blog explains how information graphics make learning content easier for ELLs because it allows for content to be learned through multiple means. It also explains how technology can build on a student's language and vocabulary acquisition and how it can be tailored to the various languages of our ELLs.

This blog is best practice in that it promotes collaboration and communication which has been shown to lead to success for our ELLs.

Reference

Stover Kelly, K., & Siefert, B. (n.d.). Ila’s blog. International Literacy Association. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-now/2017/06/02/tech-tools-to-support-english-learners-literacy-and-language-development

How to use Technology

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 23:26:53 UTC

This article does not only discuss how and why we should use technology in an ELL classroom but also gives 9 tools or resources that we can use to get started like Padlet, Google Translate, and more.

This article promotes best practices because it helps educators collaborate with our ELL students and helps encourage them academically.

Reference

Tower. (2023, September 8). How to use technology to help ells achieve language mastery. Continental Educational Publisher. https://www.continentalpress.com/blog/how-to-use-technology-to-help-ells/#:~:text=Recording%20tools%20such%20as%20Voice,ELs%20to%20read%20with%20prosody.

Educational Technology for ELLs

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 23:36:11 UTC

This website is provided by the Department of Education and provides a toolkit for educators. It helps assist them in getting started with using technology in the classroom which will help educate our ELLs.

This is best practice in that we are promoting the education and growth of all students and using the necessary resources to help them accomplish their goals.

Reference

Edtech for English learners. (2019, June 20). Office of Educational Technology. https://tech.ed.gov/edtech-english-learner-toolkits/

Language and Culture

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 23:43:59 UTC

This article discusses an interview with a professor and author, Dr. Brisk. In the article, we hear about key points made in her book and how she can relate as a former ELL in a school setting. She provides examples and ideas of how an educator can consider different cultures represented in the classroom.

This article represents best practice because research shows that by providing an environment where students feel understood and secure they are more likely to do well academically.

Reference

Language and culture in ell education. (2015, December 1). Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/language-and-culture-ell-education#:~:text=Issues%20of%20culture%20are%20very,like%20children%20writing%20personal%20narratives.

Strategies for Supporting SEL

Mrs_Maldonado — 2023-11-21 23:58:39 UTC

This article does not only focus on the impact that SEL can have on a student but also the support that needs to take place. It gives examples of initiatives that school districts can take as a whole to promote SEL and classroom strategies to help students grow socially and emotionally.

This is best practice in that it involves encouraging the student to work on how to regulate their emotions and better understand how to collaborate with others which has show to have positive results for students.

Reference

Breiseth, L. (2023, July 28). 10 strategies for supporting SEL for ells: “Grow as you go.” Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/sel-ell-salina