How to Use a Newcomer Vocabulary Workbook
Learning basic vocabulary will help newcomer students improve in all areas of English development. For the majority of the day, many newcomers will be in class with English speaking peers. They will learn a large amount of vocabulary when their teacher uses visuals and by listening to what is happening in the classroom. It is important that this is taking place. That newcomer students are a part of the classroom and not off to the side doing separate work the entire part of the day.
There is a time and place, though, for newcomer students to work on basic English vocabulary. For upper elementary students who are able to do independent work, a Newcomer English Workbook is a great tool. A student can choose to work on it when they need a mental break, they finish another assignment early, or the class is working on an activity that is not appropriate for them (such as taking a practice test for a standardized test that the student is exempt from).
Why use a Newcomer Vocabulary Workbook?
Use materials where the activities are similar. This way, once a student learn how to do the activity with one set of vocabulary words, the directions are the same with new words.
Many upper elementary newcomers are able to decode English words but do not understand their meaning. A Newcomer English Workbook uses pictures, words, and simple English sentences to give students multiple opportunities to practice the new words.
I have created a set of newcomer vocabulary notebooks that provide students with multiple opportunities to practice basic English vocabulary words.
What is Included in a Newcomer Vocabulary Workbook?
You can put together a newcomer vocabulary workbook by gathering materials yourself. Focus on Tier one vocabulary words (according to Colorin Colorado, “Tier 1 words are words that ELLs typically know the concept of in their primary language, but not the label in English.”)
In the Newcomer Vocabulary Workbook that I have created, vocabulary words are grouped by section. Unit 1 covers colors, shapes, and numbers, Unit 2 covers seasons, weather, and the calendar, Unit 3 covers school vocabulary.
How to Use the Vocabulary Books
In the classroom, a parent volunteer or peer tutor can help the newcomer by reading the vocabulary words to them and going over the directions for the worksheets. A peer tutor is typically a responsible student who has the patience to explain directions and is not struggling with their own work. They do not necessarily need to speak the same language as the newcomer student.
Another way to use these materials is to introduce the vocabulary words during a dedicated ELD time. Then give the student the workbook to complete during independent work time, or if they need a break from what the rest of the class is working on. Read about additional ideas for supporting newcomer ELLs in the elementary classroom.
Ways to Purchase
PDF Workbooks on AWLL Website Store
Newcomer Vocabulary Materials on TPT
