Scaffolding Instruction!

Hi everyone!

Welcome!   I would like to look at scaffolding in instruction.  What is it?  How do we do it?

When teachers break learning into smaller chunks and give students temporary support, structure and tools to work with each of those chunks, we call this scaffolding.   Scaffolding starts with high temporary support and then gradually support is taken away.  Scaffolding includes a variety of essential techniques that helps move the learner toward higher levels of understanding and independence when learning.  Scaffolding can be used in a broad range of content areas and grade levels.  Let’s look at a few of my favorites.

To access and build common background knowledge begin with a shared experience:

•       a video

•       a shared reading

Graphic Organizers:

•       Venn Diagrams and Double Bubble Charts to compare and contrast information

•       Mind Maps help show relationships, note taking and book summaries

•       Flow charts to show processes

•    Rubrics that show what is expected on an assignment

Question,Task or Cue Cards:

·      Teacher made cards given to students that frame a topic or subject.

·      Target and signal words and vocabulary lists with definitions that are content specific.  Provide lists of transition words and conjunctions.   Add new words to the lists as you use and discover them.

·      Topic or content sentence frames that students must complete.  Use sentence frames to  Use sentence forms and sentence starters to support the use of complete sentences in writing and spoken discourse.  Use these for both whole group and partner discussions.

support written ideas. Begin with simple sentences and build to compound sentences.

Provide visual word walls - add new words as you go along.

 

What are some of your favorite scaffolding techniques?  Which do you find work best with second language learners?

Happy Teaching!

Could you be a Grammar Nerd?

Announcing our 2015 workshops!

Hello everyone!

Thanks for checking in with Fun To Teach.  Happy August, I hope you are feeling happy, re-energized and ready for a super terrific year.

We have packed this post with great information on our upcoming workshops to get you launched into going back to school!  Read on to find out more about our fall workshops

 Click here to download our flyer and registration form!

I want you to be the first to know about our new workshop.  Drumroll please…

Our New Workshop!

#6 ELD Models and Strategies for Co-Teaching 

- Push-in and Pull-out!

With inclusion on the rise, ELD and Classroom teachers are sharing classrooms more than ever and becoming effective co-teaching partners. Bring your team, co-teacher or just yourself and learn the models for co-teaching.  Understand when and how to use each model for effective instruction to second language learners and low language at risk students.  Find out which strategies are best associated with each model and create make and take activities so you can use them in the classroom the next day!  Engaging, robust English acquisition happens throughout the day when ELD and Classroom teachers team up to enrich each lesson with rigorous language instruction.

Friday October 2, 2015  - Portland, OR

Friday – November 13, 2015 - Lane ESD - Eugene, OR

Friday December 11, 2015 – Bend, Or

 Click here to download our flyer and registration form!

This year don't miss out on attending one or our highly motivating and energizing teacher workshops!

Innovative Professional Development for English Language Development Teachers

Our ELD workshops bridge the gap between theory and practice. Our specialty is bringing the how-to, hands-on strategies that practicing ESL teachers need in order to reach demanding academic and language standards.

#4 Academic Language – The Bridge across the Common Core!

What is it?  How to teach it!

ELD & classroom teachers love this workshop as they learn strategies to teach academic language and grammar across the curriculum.  This workshop is of particular value to those participating as a cohort or a grade level co-teaching team.  Explore strategies and activities to build academic language in Intermediate and Early Advanced English language learners, as well as native English speakers.  These strategies are ideal for both push in or pull out programs. 

The following areas will be presented and explored: 

•Phonological Features •Vocabulary and Word Formation •Grammar •Discourse •Cognition 

There is time allotted to create multiple Make and Take projects relating to each category.

Friday – January 22, 2016 - Eugene, OR

 Click here to download our flyer and registration form!

#3 Connections between Common Core Language Standards and ELD

CONNECTING THE COMMON CORE LANGUAGE STANDARDS TO ELD

Whether you are in a push-in or pull-out program this Make and Take workshop is for K-5 ELD and/or classroom teachers working separately or as a collaborative team.  Get an in-depth understanding of the Common Core Language Standards and how they correspond with Second language acquisition with this Make and Take workshop.  This presentation concentrates on strategies and make & take activities, which compare the connections between second language learning and the CCSS language standards.

Friday – October 16, 2015 - Portland, OR

#5 Getting To Know The Key Strategies for Teaching English Language Proficiency

Are you ready to get to know the new key strategies that support teaching English Language Proficiency in Oregon?  This workshop explores and clarifies the strategies that support academic language and will bring your understanding and classroom instruction up to speed. Enhance your knowledge of key strategies whether you are brand new to them or already starting to incorporate them into your instruction.

FRIday- September 18, 2015  - Portland, OR

        

 And again!

Our New Workshop!

#6 ELD Models and Strategies for Co-Teaching 

- Push-in and Pull-out!

With inclusion on the rise, ELD and Classroom teachers are sharing classrooms more than ever and becoming effective co-teaching partners. Bring your team, co-teacher or just yourself and learn the models for co-teaching.  Understand when and how to use each model for effective instruction to second language learners and low language at risk students.  Find out which strategies are best associated with each model and create make and take activities so you can use them in the classroom the next day!  Engaging, robust English acquisition happens throughout the day when ELD and Classroom teachers team up to enrich each lesson with rigorous language instruction.

Friday October 2, 2015  - Portland, OR

Friday – November 13, 2015 - Lane ESD - Eugene, OR

Friday December 11, 2015 – Bend, Or

I know that so many of us are learning how to upgrade our practice.  Come learn with us.  I hope to see you this fall!

 Click here to download our flyer and registration form!

Happy Teaching,

Lori Wolfe

Back to School with Second Language Learners in the classroom!

Hello Teachers!

This is a post I wrote for REALLY GOOD STUFF BLOG.

I thought the information was valuable and so I am posting it here!

Happy Teaching!

Lori 

As we head back to our classroom and prepare for a new school year many of us will find English Language Learners (ELLs) on our rosters. I would like to share some ideas used to establish a warm, and supportive learning environment for second language learners.   As teachers we know that creating a safe and secure classroom environment includes such things as:

·      Arrange the classroom in a way to maximize interaction with clear walkways and designated work areas

·      Post student work

·      Display classroom rules and procedures.

·      Model kindness, patience and respect

·      Smile often, laughing with our students and giving explicit positive reinforcement

Ensure a sheltered and supportive classroom for second language learners by including: 

1.   Label the room and classroom objects with word and picture labels.  This helps build vocabulary and helps limited or non-speakers know where things go and what they are called.

2.   Integrate Ells’ first language and culture into my classroom when possible.  Incorporate all students into the classroom by putting up posters, books, songs and pictures of different cultures.

3.   Develop and maintain predictable procedures, schedules and routines.  I model and practice these often during the first weeks of school and adhered to them throughout the year.  Posting a schedule, content and language objectives, rules, lunch menus and bus schedules gives a sense of security to students.  Try to always include pictures and simple wording.

4.    Establish a sense of belonging by seating ELLs in the middle of the room toward the front facing the teacher.  Make regular eye contact.  Some teachers think they should not put second language students on the spot and don’t interact with them.  I feel this allows an ELL to slip to the edges of a classroom, never participating, speaking or learning.

5.   Further that sense of belonging by designing classroom jobs appropriate for ELL students.  There are many classroom jobs that a limited speaker can do such as:  Handing out papers, posting lunch numbers, etc.

Before school starts employ these easy strategies to connect second language learners with the classroom and make all students feel welcome and a member of your community.

Get to know your second language learners as school gets under way.  Try to find out the basic facts about each second language learner in your class.  Do you know whom they live with?  How many siblings or relatives live with them in their home?  How long has he/she lived in the country or was he/she born here?  If the student comes from another country, which one?  What town or city?  What language(s) is spoken at home?  What prior school experience does the student have?  Are they literate in their first language?

Clickto download 2 free handy checklists of the above ideas and strategies.  Follow this easy checklist to be certain to cover all the areas you intend to. 

P.S. A thought on newcomers.  When I have newcomers (students new to my school or to the country) in my classroom I don’t forget to address a human basic need:  safety!   To make the students feel safe and secure assign a peer as the ELLs’ buddy.   Choose peer buddies who know the school and can give the newcomers a tour of the school, rooms, offices, bathrooms and classrooms.  The buddies introduce the newcomers to teachers, staff and aides who need to know that these students are limited or non-English speakers.  This is the first step in providing my students with a safe environment.

 What strategies and activities do you use to design a safe, secure learning environment for your second language learners?  Please share your ideas with us!

Teachers Pay Teachers Booster Sale

Hello everyone!
August is back to school month!

It is time to get inspired and Teachers Pay Teachers is the place to find your inspiration!



August 19th is the One Day Bonus sale at Teachers Pay Teachers.  Click here to go to our store!

Pop over to the Fun To Teach Store and stock up on products that will inspire you and ignite your teaching!

Check out some of our best selling products!







Happy summer!

Happy Teaching! 

Lori

Teacher See Teacher Do!

Hello everyone,

One of my on-line teacher friends is a gal named April Bryant with Teacher See Teacher Do.  She teaches ELD and literacy in Waterloo, Iowa  and was recently featured in the ELPA21 newsletter as this Educator Spotlight!  Congratulations to you April!

Click here to see her “Spotlight”.

April has created a great ELPA21 practice test and now has it on her TPT store.  I am impressed with her product and encourage folks to click here to check it out.

Let me know your comments - I would love to hear what you think,

Happy Teaching! 

Lori

Teachers Pay Teachers Big Back to School Sale

Hello everyone!
August is back to school month!
 
It is time to get inspired and Teachers Pay Teachers is the place to find your inspiration!



August 3rd and 4th is the sitewide sale.  

Pop over to the Fun To Teach Store and stock up on products that will inspire you and ignite your teaching!

Check out some of our best selling products!







Happy summer!

Happy Teaching! 

Lori