Teaching English
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Needed Conversation
This post discusses the need for ELs to have conversations with others who do not speak their own language.
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Quotes from The Differentiated Classroom
Here are some quotes from The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners 2nd Edition by Carol Ann Tomlinson.
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An Argument Against the Teacher-Centered Model for Both the ESL Teacher and the Tennis Coach
This post discusses the importance of conducting class/practice in a non-teacher/coach centered fashion.
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Quotes from Co-Teaching That Works: Structures and Strategies for Maximizing Student Learning (2nd Ed.) By Anne M. Beninghof
This post provides the best quotes from this co-teaching book.
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Quotes from The Happy Teacher Habits: 11 Habits … by Michael Linsin
This post has the best quotes from this book.
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Some Thoughts on “Let's teach for mastery -- not test scores” | Sal Khan
Thoughts on mastery learning by Sal Khan
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Rethinking Grades -Especially the Low Grades
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Mastery Learning - Figuring Out What is Going on in the Student’s Head
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Quotes from Kid-Inspired Teacher: Organizing Wildly Productive ELL Classes by John Carlson
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The First Days of School By Harry Wong Quotes
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Quotes from Implementing Mastery Learning by Thomas Guskey
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A Critique of the Uniform Public School System
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Quotes from Reading Reconsidered: A Practical Guide to Rigorous Literacy Instruction By Doug Lemov and others
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Quotes from Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things By Adam Grant
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Encourage the Joy of Learning … and Preventing Obstacles to That Pursuit
Learning from Differentiation YouTube Videos
The videos that help me get a better idea of differentiation are shared here, and I will write my take-aways underneath each video.
Language Exchange Tips
This post gives some methods for language exchanging.
Quotes from Co-Teaching for English Learners
I will list quotes from Co-Teaching for English Learners: A Guide to Collaborative Planning, Instruction, Assessment, and Reflection by Maria G. Dove and Andrea Honigsfeld.
African Griots (ESL Social Studies)
This is a good introductory lesson for World History. It provides knowledge of early African kingdoms while encouraging communication in the classroom.
Elect the Best Snack (ESL Social Studies)
Election day is like a holiday in social studies classrooms, and this activity helps to create a festive, fun spirit during this time.
Review of Teaching Social Studies to English Language Learners
I recommend this book to anyone teaching ESL social studies.
Easter Egg Hunt ESL Reading Activity
This is a fun Easter activity for your ESL 1 students.
Spontaneously Teaching Vocabulary with Proven Tactics
These vocabulary teaching tactics can be implemented spontaneously in the classroom when new vocabulary appears in content classes.
Russia and World War I (ESL Social Studies)
This is a lesson that can be given when covering World War I. It develops compare and contrast critical thinking, and it involves students from all abilities.
Emphasizing Capitalization in the ESL Co-Taught Classroom
This article will present a few ways to review capitalization.
Placing QR Codes for Translation on School Documents
Providing a QR code that provides an audio recording of the information in English and the families’ native language helps families understand school communication.
Supporting Newcomers’ Social Emotional Learning
This post shares resources for exploring SEL further for Newcomers.
Encouraging Reading at Home in Your ESL Class
These reading check-ups encourage reading time at home, and they do not dig-in to class time.
A Fun ESL Lesson with Balloon Animals
This is just a fun activity to learn basic ESL vocabulary, and it adds some levity and a change of pace.
Effective, Consistent Learning -> Have Fun with the Learning
Effective, consistent learning occurs when a person has fun with the learning. This is a habit that must be developed early in life.
Snap! Snap! Snap! … Pile of Limbs … Creativity!
At the beginning and even during your creative pursuit, you may think that you look like a fool standing next to a pile of broken limbs. But really at the end, you will be standing on top of the pile of broken limbs - above everyone else who were too afraid.
How to Implement Some PSP Accommodations
This article will help you get a better handle on some of ESL accommodations: Scaffold Responses, Build Background Knowledge, Engage in Academic Conversations, and Prompting and Cueing.
The Benefits of Peer Learning and How to Effectively Implement it in the Classroom
This article discusses the benefits of peer learning and best practices for implementing peer learning. Within the general best practice principles are specific methods for implementing the principles and specific examples of schools implementing peer learning.
John Dewey's Pedagogical Creed and ESL Education
ESL teachers should listen to John Dewey’s educational philosophy.
Exposure and Enjoyment are Keys to Learning a Language
You need to be exposed a lot to a language and use the language. These activities should be enjoyable to you because many different methods work.
Content/ELL Teachers’ Collaboration Strategies
This article provides six strategies that can be broadly applied to collaboration classes between a content teacher and an ESL teacher.