Figurative Language with ELLs
Figurative Language with ELLs

Figurative Language with ELLs

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Figurative language uses figures of speech including metaphors, similes, idioms, and personification. It typically describes something by comparing it with something different. Figurative language can be challenging for an English Language Learner to understand, as they are still learning literal language. Here are some strategies and ideas for teaching figurative language to ELLs. Culture plays a role in figurative language. Metacognition helps students to understand when they encounter figurative phrases. (Palmer, Bilgili, Gungor, & Taylor 2008) Have Students Illustrate Examples…

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Prefixes and Suffixes for ELLs
Prefixes and Suffixes with ELLs

Prefixes and Suffixes with ELLs

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Teaching students the meaning of prefixes and suffixes is a great way to increase their vocabulary. When they know basic prefixes and suffixes they are better able to use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words. This is true for all students, but it is particularly helpful for English Language Learners, as they may not be familiar with some of the words that have affixes from past exposure. Some suffixes can make changes to words such as tense, number,…

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Folktales from around the world
Folktales from Around the World

Folktales from Around the World

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Fairy tales and other folktales are a great opportunity to include books and stories from around the world. A common lesson is to compare and contrast different versions of a fairy tale. Here are some folktales from around the world to check out. Anthology Fairytalez– This is an amazing FREE collection of fairy tales, folk tales, and other traditional stories from around the world. It allows you to print each story as a pdf. Each story comes with an estimated…

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teacher self care- book and fruit
Teacher Self Care

Teacher Self Care

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Teacher Self Care: Tips for Parents Teacher self care is vitally important. This is particularly true when you are also a parent. The trouble is that many of the typically strategies listed are more difficult to implement when you have kids. Today I partnered with my husband to reflect on strategies that work for us, and hopefully will help you as well. My husband is an elementary school teacher. This summer he took a professional development class through Learners Edge about…

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email list
Email List

Email List

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I am very excited to announce that I am starting an email list newsletter. I am planning on sending out weekly tips and ideas to help teachers support their English Language Learners.  Also when you sign up you will get a FREE Speak then Write sample set to use with your students. I would love to hear from you! Sign up below and let me know if you have any questions about working with ELLs or if there are specific…

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Teaching about folktales to ELLs
Teaching About Folktales to ELLs

Teaching About Folktales to ELLs

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Teaching About Folktales to ELLs Folktales included fairy tales, fables, and legends. They were traditionally passed down by word of mouth. Folktales are great windows into the culture and values of the the group of people telling them. Fables have a lesson the the reader is meant to learn. Fairy tales and legends have more subtle lessons about good and evil. Cultures around the world often have their own version of a common folk tale. Here are some ideas for…

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How to Prepare for Language Testing
How to Prepare ELLs for Language Testing

How to Prepare ELLs for Language Testing

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How to Prepare ELLs for Language Testing Each year ELLs take an annual language assessment. In many states this is WIDA ACCESS. I am not an advocate of extensive test preparation, but I do think that students should be exposed to the language of a test beforehand so that they are better prepared. WIDA has some tips on how to prepare for the ACCESS assessment. Here are some additional ways to help student become familiar with the language and formatting…

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TPT Cyber Monday Sale + Gift Card Giveaway

TPT Cyber Monday Sale + Gift Card Giveaway

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TPT Cyber Monday Sale + Gift Card Giveaway Coming up on November 26th & 27th is a sitewide TPT sale. Save up to 25% off. I’ll have my store at 20%. Use the code CYBER18 for an additional 5%. Bundles are a great way to save BIG during the sale. Here are a few worth checking out in my store: Speak then Write Mega Bundle- These are sets of sequencing or life cycle picture cards and graphic organizers. First students can…

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teaching phonics to ells
Phonics for ELLs

Phonics for ELLs

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Teaching Phonics to ELLs Teaching phonics is an important aspect of a balanced literacy program for ELLs. Phonics is the relationship between sounds and the letter or letters used to write it. Phonics helps students learn the specific sounds in the English language. For newcomers that have a background in a language that does not use the Western alphabet, phonics is way to help them learn the letters and sounds of the alphabet. For older students it is important to…

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Teaching about being thankful with ells: Books and writing
I am Thankful Writing and Books

I am Thankful Writing and Books

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Integrating the themes of gratitude and being thankful is a common practice around Thanksgiving. These themes are great to teach about throughout the year as well. Here are some ideas for teaching ELLs how to express that they are thankful, including a FREE writing activity. I am Thankful Writing   Vocabulary This set comes with vocabulary words to help student tell what they are thankful for. This is a great opportunity to integrate basic vocabulary into a lesson for all…

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