During her 27 months teaching English in a Macedonian village school, Peace Corps volunteer Jordan Lucas learned a lot about the relationship between culture and learning – insights that will help her be a better language educator. It all began with a kombi ride.
What considerations do teachers of English Language Learners need to keep in mind as they help students “close read” complex texts and meet Common Core standards? Veteran ELL teachers Larry Ferlazzo and Katie Hull Sypnieski share ideas from their classrooms.
Book Reviews / English Language Learners
by MiddleWeb · Published 09/17/2015 · Last modified 11/22/2019
Pauline Gibbons discusses ELL issues in each of the four essential areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing in separate chapters, weaving implications from relevant research about second language learning throughout, says reviewer Glenda Moyer.
Teaching consultant Barbara Blackburn offers 3 simple, effective tools to support English Language Learners as they work with nonfiction text. The strategies, easily adapted to any classroom, include use of visuals, use of language, and layering meaning.
ELL Immersion for Teachers / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 02/24/2015 · Last modified 11/28/2019
Has your state added a course on English Language Sheltered Immersion to recertification requirements? Kevin Hodgson’s has. He shares his Top Lessons Learned, including “there is no one type of ELL student – each student comes with unique strengths & challenges.”
Stressing the need to provide wide fiction and informational text choices, the authors consider the needs of all readers while offering extensive activities for all classrooms. Reviewer Jenni Miller found the book “wonderful” – both informative and encouraging.
Book Reviews / English Language Learners
by MiddleWeb · Published 04/13/2014 · Last modified 12/05/2019
Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners by Jane E. Hill and Kirsten B. Miller is valuable for ensuring that English learners are challenged at Bloom’s higher levels of thinking and understanding, with the appropriate scaffolding, says reviewer Jennifer Underwood.
The Essentials of Science, Grades 7–12: Effective Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, by Rick Allen, is a great reference to use when preparing to teach a new unit or reflecting on a lesson recently taught, says reviewer Deborah Gaff, who likes Allen’s inquiry focus.
Book Reviews / Common Core State Standards / English Language Learners
by MiddleWeb · Published 10/07/2013 · Last modified 07/08/2014
Teachers will find helpful discussions of CCSS listening & speaking standards & the CALL tool. Reading & writing are missing.
California teacher and author Larry Ferlazzo is the Internet’s impresario of education resources. He tells us the story behind Websites of the Day, his great act of curation, and more.
