ELLRefresher

Open Sorting Tasks Definition: An activity in which target vocabulary terms are given to students, and then the students are asked to organize the vocabulary into categories that they come up with on their own. Purposes: To increase comprehension To develop organizational skills To provide collaborative learning To understand categorical distinctions Step 1. Select the critical terms that you want the students to learn. Step 2. Provide the words for the students and ask them to figure out the best way to categorize them. Step 3. Ask the students to work in pairs, and ask them to discuss why they choose the different categories. Step 4. Review the responses as a whole class. Step 5. For a twist, add in a new item that might confound the student categories. Example: Let’s say you want to teach a unit on different forms of government. Step 1. Choose laws or features that might be clearly divided between a democracy and a...

Closed Sorting Tasks Definition: An activity in which target vocabulary terms are given to students, and then the students are asked to organize the vocabulary into specific, given categories. Purposes: To increase comprehension To develop organizational skills To provide collaborative learning To understand categorical distinctions Step 1. Select the critical terms that you want the students to learn. Step 2. Organize the words into natural categories. Step 3. Jumble the terms and provide the students with the categories. The words should not be assigned to categories--that will be the students job. Step 4. Ask the students to work in pairs, and ask them to discuss why they choose the different categories. Step 5. Review the responses as a whole class. Example: Let’s say you want to teach a unit on the differences between eubacteria and archaebacteria . Step 1. Choose the terms that you want students to remember, lik...

Patterned Oral Language Definition: Patterned oral language is the use of regular phrase and sentences when going over daily routines or giving directions. For example, in you do bell-ringers, you might want to introduce it the same way each day. Purposes: To develop listening skills To increase oral comprehension To establish routines. Rather than a step-by-step, this entry will focus on the concept. Essentially, Patterned Oral Language is the habit of using selected and particular phrases or sentences to guide students through the routines of your classroom structure. For example, if you have a routine of reading from the textbook, you might begin the reading each day by saying, “Today, let’s read about…”. If you have a weekly Kahoot review, then you might announce it by saying, “Get out your Chromebooks, and login into Kahoot.” While these are basic sentences, the key challenge is being consist with your language. Using the same language every time is r...

Model Academic Language Definition: The act of using academic vocabulary when teaching, when practicing the relevant skill, and in any generally applicable situation. Purposes: To teach academic vocabulary To teach academic sentence structures Step 1. In lesson planning, make sure to note all of the required vocabulary needed for learning prior to the lesson and needed for testing after the lesson. Step 2. During the lesson and activities: Provide written vocabulary lists, word walls, or another visual example of the vocabulary words. Use the words orally in teaching mini-lectures and/or providing class instruction. Include the language as part of expectations for student writing and/or speaking. Step 3. After the lesson and activities: Review any words that are important to the subject matter. Provide a glossary for self-monitoring and reviewing outside of class. Be sure to incorporate general usage of academic language outside of the lesson. Thi...