Here is a collection of digital learning tips and resources to use with ELLs. Teaching Online If your school is moving towards digital learning and you will be teaching online due to the Corona Virus, here are some things to keep in mind. Make plans for students that do not have access to technology. One alternative is to provide packets of work. Start with using digital tools that students are familiar with and then slowly introduce new platforms as you…
Students at the beginning stages of writing need support with vocabulary development. One way to give this is to have students label pictures. This supports English Language Learners and beginning writers in learning new vocabulary and using beginning sounds. Here are some benefits of having students label pictures before they begin writing. Vocabulary Support As students label a picture they are getting practice writing the vocabulary word. For ELLs, they might not know what all of the objects and actions…
Creating a mini book is a simple way to quickly make a large number of books for reading and writing. You can teach students how to fold a mini book with simple to follow directions. Students can then use blank mini books for drawing and writing. Mini books are also a simple way to add to the number of simple to read books that students have access to. Learn how to fold a mini book with these step by step…
Students enjoy getting small gifts during the school year. You can give students gifts for their birthday, a holiday, or the end of the school year. They don’t have to be expensive. They also don’t need to be candy. Many of these gifts make fun classroom incentives as well. Target or the Dollar Store often have many of these items. If you prefer to shop online or want to buy in larger quantities Amazon has some deals. Disclosure: This post…
Snacking is a great way to get a quick burst of energy. Snacks for teachers need to be easy to store and not messy. As an ESOL teacher I often only had a few minutes to grab a snack or needed something that I could eat while I was prepping for my next group. For a short time, I got a snack subscription box (Graze). It was fun to get new snacks each month and all of them were easy…
Myths can be exciting stories for students to learn about. A myth is a story that plays a fundamental role in society. They often tell the origins of why something is set up the way that it is. The main characters often are gods or have supernatural powers. For ELLs, myths can be both exciting stories and challenging. One of the challenges is that the events take place in the past and might contain references that the student is unfamiliar…
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…
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…
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…
I have benefited from Donors Choose projects many times over the years. I have even gotten funding to purchase materials on Teachers Pay Teachers. To request a project you first need to set up an account. Then the site will walk you through writing a project. Click HERE to get started setting up an account.(I also get a referral bonus). Tips for Funding a Donors Choose Project Be Strategic About When You Post Projects Back to school is a popular…