ELLRefresher

Language Experience Approach Definition: An activity in which a student’s oral (or written) telling of an experience is used as the text for demonstrating the process of revision as well as other aspects of reading and speaking. Purposes: To provide a personal connection to the learning To identify different perspectives To identify weaknesses in verbal communication To instruct revision practices Example A (Individual): Step 1. The students participate in a shared experience BEFORE this activity (e.g., a field trip, making a group diorama for a class, preparing a bulletin board or skit in class, etc.) NOTE: Basically, any group project can be used as this “shared experience”. Step 2. The student should recall the experience orally, while the instructor records the experience in writing. (Variations can include asking the students to write down their own first draft.) Step 3. Ask questions and provide suggestions for revision. Coax the studen

Anticipation Guides Definition: A worksheet or form which asks the students to think about what will be taught in the upcoming unit or reading. The students will be asked to answer questions (often true/false or agree/disagree) based on their own prior knowledge or their ability to make educated guesses. Purposes: To identify misconceptions To activate prior knowledge To assess differentiation needs To highlight future concepts To highlight future vocabulary   Example A: Part I Directions.  Read each statement.  If you agree with the statement, put a check in the Agree column.  If you don’t agree with the statement, put a check in the Disagree column.  Discuss your answers with a partner. The teacher will be asking the class before reading the story how the class as a whole marked their papers.    Agree    Disagree 1. _____      _____ The lowest point of the Great Depression occurred during  the 1920s. 2. _____     _____ The

Greetings, visitors! ELL Refresher is a blog dedicated to aggregating strategies and information regarding ELL instruction. I am an ESL Specialist, and currently an "ENL Teacher" in Indiana. This website has been designed as a resource for instructors at my school. However, I wish to open it up to anyone else who might need new ideas in providing services for ELL students in their classrooms. My goal is to help you feel more confident about how you teach and interact with ELL students. Technically, I follow the concept of Universal Design. If a technique helps an ELL, then it will probably help other students with similar issues, such as vocabulary development or spoken clarity. Therefore, feel free to use these strategies in classrooms without ELL students. Many of your kids might benefit. If you have any comments, questions, or ideas that you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment below, or you may email me: tmcalister@wcs.k12.in.us Thank you!