As a first year teacher at Lowrey Middle School I really never knew how much impact the ELL student population would have on me this year and my career. Understanding our ELL population and the ways we can help them become successful is something I never really thought about until I realized that many of our students are ELL. I teach one section of 7th Grade Social Studies and four sections of Computer Applications. In this report I will describe the students, my class classroom setting, grouping, strategies used, the importance of technology, provide my lesson plan and my overall reflection.
Part 1---The English Language Learners in my class consist of two females and eight males. This class is a 7th Grade Social studies class. Most of the
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Also most students are 1st generation Americans. Even though I speak Arabic as well and I am able to understand and help them if they ever need translation we also have to keep in mind that there are a lot of different Arabic dialects. The parents of my ELL students are born in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen or Palestine.
Part II-----The classroom setting and arrangement was a little different specifically for my social studies students. Our classroom is a computer lab so every student had his or her own computer. It is a little different then the normal classroom setting, they are used for the core classes. There are some positive and negatives for this setting. Some positives are students are able to use the computer for every single assignment and have the help of technology at every step. Technology was helpful because students could use spell check for incorrect words, it could be used many times for Google translate. There are many different websites that can read the text for you. Some of the negatives is they do not have the benefit of sitting in a group and collaborating in talking in the way I would want them to. When grouping students for collaborative discussions and assignments I am required that we group
After viewing the panel discussion about how our local school districts have implemented English Language Learning in their school, I am very intrigued. From what I gathered the field of ELL is a growing industry in education, especially in Colorado Springs. We have ELL’s students coming from all over the world. Here in Colorado Springs alone, school districts have to accommodate for over fifty different languages spoken by ELL’s. I can only imagine the challenge that comes with such a diverse group of non- English speakers in our community schools.
There are several key ideas that are crucial to understanding the best way to teach young, ELL students. The first idea is the importance of recognizing ELL’s feelings of isolation and alienation. When a teacher recognizes this, they are more capable of helping the student feel a part of the class. The student will struggle to participate if they do not feel like they belong with the other students. There is not only a language barrier, but also sociocultural differences that prohibit them from feeling accepted. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of acknowledging this problem and being aware during classroom activities. She suggests that you get a deep understanding of their cultural background, not just a “touristy” one.
I found it interesting that of the three ELL teachers interviewed, only one had a personal ELL experience. This teacher teaches at my middle school. She moved here from Poland when she was nine years old. She didn’t know any English besides basic words like colors and days of the week. This personal experience can help her immensely, because she understands the experience of her students and the students can relate to her. This teacher is the only one who is bilingual of the three I interviewed. Interestingly, it is also two of the three teachers first year teaching ELL. These two educators were aides in the program before this teaching job, and they both received their endorsements from the IRC. The other elementary teacher has been teaching ELL for twenty years, and has lots of experience.
This Semester I observed a three-year-old girl named Allie. Allie attends preschool at Land of Learning; she is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It was my pleasure observing her and getting to know her. She is a very sweet outgoing girl that doesn’t let her disability get to her. I observed and assisted Allie throughout her days at preschool. I assisted her and observed her with recess activities, eating lunch, and daily school projects. My past observation experiences I observed at Westgate elementary school in a class room mixed with students with learning disabilities, ADHD and also ELL students the class was taught by Ms. Lewis. I observed a second grade ELL classroom and also a fourth grade classroom. I observed these students during school
One thing I learned is the importance important of getting to know students and their cultural backgrounds. The practices used in the classroom should cater to the needs of students in the classroom. For example, I have several students who have been classified between Stage 3 and Stage 4 language acquisition. In order to serve these students effectively, I would need to know the stage they are classified at. Next, I would need to implement strategies to increase learning. The materials chosen to read in class should be interesting yet challenging for my ELL students. Knowing about my students’ background and using strategies and tools to support them is the most important lesson that I’ve learned in this course. This understanding applies to any diverse student that I may teach. Truly getting to know students and their backgrounds, as well as intentionally implementing strategies that will help benefit students’ academic growth are examples of best practices in teaching. This has been the most influential lesson learned in this class because it can be applied to every student that I will teach. I plan to implement what I’ve learned into my classroom and create an environment were all students feel safe and motivated to learn regardless of their
racie Allen of the comedy team of Burns and Allen was once asked how one should speak French. She replied, “Well, you speak it the same way you speak English; you just use different words.” When trying to assist in instructing English language learners, they usually have many concepts and language abilities that they need to master, as do the teachers that are trying to teach them. With the incorporation of the concepts and approaches to identify and assess the issues and concerns that we have learned in our classroom instruction, such as lesson preparation, building background, and comprehensible input, we can indeed teach our future English language learners all the right moves with all the right words.
I feel that in order for students to prosper they must be comfortable with their learning environment. I plan to have an well-organized classroom with various bulletin boards highlighting current chapters of study, as well as announcements and assignments. I also believe that you must keep students both interested and involved to achieve successful learning. Desks in my classroom will be organized in one large “U” formation facing my desk in the front to create a feeling of unity and coherence. To further promote this goal I will assign a seating chart (possibly alphabetically) to aid in the diffusion of cliques and to avoid exclusion of these who may have the tendency to be isolated. Individual and group projects will be incorporated into my curriculum to provide students the opportunity to work both independently, as well as a team member.
It is very hard not to realize that technology has overpowered education in many ways. “Technology integration is similar to a tidal wave, growing silently in strength, then falling with an unstoppable roar upon those who paid no attention or showed little interest” (Guhlin, 40). Nowadays, computers are almost considered a necessity in the classroom, and are the main component of technology integration. Computers are being used in more numerous ways, besides only being used for basic word processing. With a simple computer, copious availabilities of technologies can be used in the classroom. “The one thing that is so great about the computer is that it does give a lot of instruction--and you don't need to have hearing to take advantage of it” (Anderson, 12). It’s amazing how one simple screen can provide everlasting opportunity for learning.
Almost everyone attends a school at one time in their life, whether the classroom includes technology or not. Research shows that technology isn’t used as often as one might think. The article, “High Access and Low Use of Technology in High School Classrooms” illustrates the use of technology by stating that only one in ten elementary and middle school teachers are daily users of computers (Cuban, Kirkpatrick, Peck). Most schools now have classrooms that use technology throughout the entire class time and even at home to do homework. Although some people might agree with the use of technology in class, it is more harmful to the students than useful.
The curriculum focused on skills and objectives from several sources. The first are the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for middle school (Texas Education Agency, 2009). Secondly, the curriculum integrates concepts from the Framework for 21st Century Skills (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004). Also included are learner objectives from the National Educational Technology Standards by the International Society for Technology Education (2007). Finally, the TEKS for middle school social studies (1998) have been integrated into the sample unit of study.
Wright, Vivian H. and Elizabeth K. Wilson. "Teacher’s Use of Technology: Lessons Learned from the Teacher Education Program to the Classroom." 20.2 (2011): 48-58. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Class meetings allow students an opportunity to solve group issues as a class under the direction of the teacher. The students gather in a circle and each one shares their observations of the problem, but not “how the problem made them feel . . . (or their) ideas for solving it” (Crowe, 2009, p. 178). Once everyone has shared their observations, each student has the opportunity to share their feelings and solutions. If they do not have something to share or do not feel comfortable sharing their opinion they say pass. They must all agree to a solution or at least be able to live with it. This is a great way for me, a constructivist teacher, to guide students in finding solutions to
The use of computers in school classrooms has evolved throughout the years, and has become revolutionary in changing the way we teach and learn. Our classrooms should no longer be confined to four walls and a few teachers who are considered to be experts in knowledge. Our classrooms need to keep up with a changing society and a new world that is dependent on technology. As students graduate, they need the technological skills needed to thrive in a world in which technology sets the pace. Society expects the school system to produce functional citizens who have the skills to gain profitable employment, and not be a drain on the system.
...I believe through the use of critical thinking, communication with students and parents and showing the creative side of learning the collaboration within colleague would be enhanced. I know from my prior experience within the classroom as a substitute that without some collaboration the students are at a disadvantage. One memory stands out the most when collaboration is mention is when I was subbing for a ECE Teacher in a regular learning classroom, while the teacher was giving the rest of the students their assignments I was working one on one with a ECE student that needed the extra help in order to fulfill their task. The teacher and I collaborated on the questions that the student had left to complete before moving on to their homework. Through the use of collaboration the student was able to complete their task and be on the same task as the rest of the class.
My goal as a teacher is to improve my student’s education and help them grow knowledgably. I like to see students at different levels develop with each other and learn. I want to challenge the students and watch them grow to their highest level of education. Therefore, having the students in groups is the best educational strategy I like to use a lot. I want my students to have freedom with whatever creativity they want, and to allow them to express themselves at any time. With this freedom students will be able to experiment with likes and dislikes and be able to figure their weaknesses and strengths. Education is for everyone and it’s a right by low for all; teachers, on the other hand, should do their jobs very honestly and effectively.