Resources for Teaching English-Language Learners- Entry #6

1.  What is something new that I learned? 

The idea that ELL students should read a new book daily is a fairly understandable but new idea to me. I know how important it is for students to constantly be engaged in independent and guided readings, but I was not aware of the magnitude of importance it held in helping ELLs discover the language itself. 

2. How can I apply this in the classroom? 

I can apply this in the classroom by establishing reading time within my daily schedule to help all students be engaged in reading. This will help the fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary of not only my ELL students, but also my general population. 

3. What are my top 3 take-aways? 

1) When students are engaged daily in structured conversations, they are learning.

2)  The only way students are going to improve at writing ideas and conventions is to actually write. They should practice writing what they are passionate about.

3) ELL strategies are good for engaging all students. That's because they're interactive and focus on the four domains of language -- reading, writing, speaking, and listening -- which all students need support in developing. 

4. How can I connect this information with something I have learned in the classroom?

I can connect this information to the idea of strategic classroom management that I learned about in my Foundations classes. One of the most important things you can do is to establish routines that allow both guided and independent engaging practice of the skills you are teaching. In order to best meet the needs of my students, I can consider and apply these engaging strategies for reading and writing instruction in my classroom management foundation. 

5. How can I connect this information with something I learned in practicum/internship?

The information presented in this resource is easily connected to the independent analysis of student needs that I have observed in my practicum experiences. In each placement, CTs have observed the needs of specific students, like ELLs, and have developed hands-on, impactful strategies to boost their learning experience. Then, these educators have considered how the whole class would benefit from these targeted instructional tactics. To best meet the needs of all students, I should engage all learners in interactive literacy instruction.