Good morning! Glad to join my #HackLearning family this morning!
Sylvia, Academic Coach / ENG Tchr at Title 1 HS in Tampa, FL on a balmy winter day (high of 88 😮)
Good morning from Guadalajara, Mexico! I'm Tami, an international T, originally from California. All my Ss are English https://t.co/5eiOxdQjEF today's topic. #hacklearning
I'm Connie Hamilton. Curriculum director in Saranac Michigan and co-author of Hacking Homework. I work as teacher consultant with several school that have high EL population. This is an important #HackLearning topic today.
Good morning, #HackLearning, Mark here, elementary principal in Hopkins, MN. We've received a foot of fresh snow the last three days. Got to get outside and play today!
Good morning eduhackers! Kristen Dolen, Instructional Coach in Liberal, KS! Looking forward to this topic as I highly relate to it in our district. #HackLearning
Good morning #HackLearning Sean from Orland Pk IL. I'll be doing more lurking than anything. We have more & more exchange Ss so I'm looking for resources to help those Ts.
A1: Here is a video of a lesson taught in Spanish without visuals to illustrate what it might be like to be an EL student. IDK about you, but I lost interest in the first couple minutes. #HackLearninghttps://t.co/IukEQfsNC5
A1: Around 4:00 of this video, the teacher begins using visuals to support second language learners. What a difference! https://t.co/IukEQfsNC5#HackLearning
Thematic poetry lesson for Latino newcomers is scaffolded using a student-created graphic organizer & #translanguaging strategies. What does love mean to you?
@ELLevateGrant#HackLearning
A1 Some ELs might feel pressured to excel. Others might feel a loss of control: they didn’t choose to be in an English-speaking school, and they might feel socially isolated. Connecting school to their own values is important in empowering ELs. #HackLearning
GM #HackLearning! I'm Chief Evangelist at @openupresources, the nonprofit provider of superb, free #OER curriculum.
Proud to say that ALL of our curricula incorporate advanced support for #ELLs + students with disabilities.👍
Given America's diverse classrooms, it's a Must.
A1: I think it depends on the culture they come from. For example in Finland, Norway, or Sweden they might think *our* education is a joke. But in places where maybe education isn’t free, or valued, they might find it respectable and important. #HackLearning
I just finished reading Refugee last night and now have a completely different perspective. I realized I don't know what I don't know, so I need to stop assuming what perspectives I think they might have and actually go find out. #HackLearning
A1 Some ELs might feel pressured to excel. Others might feel a loss of control: they didn’t choose to be in an English-speaking school, and they might feel socially isolated. Connecting school to their own values is important in empowering ELs. #HackLearning
A1 many may feel isolated because while “endorsed to teach ESOL/ ELL,” we may not be utilizing effective tchg strategies b/c 1 we’ve forgotten (earned endorsement in 2001) 2 we’re not sure how to help or 3 literacy I’m home language is very low too #HackLearning
A1 As many perspectives as there are English learners: some positive, some negative, others mixed. Complex product of nature + nurture at home & in schools. So, aiim to learn each story. #hacklearning
A1) Perspective: Hard to tell. Where is this learner from? What level is his/her English? There could be frustration; there could be determination. #hacklearning
Have to understand that ELs may be able to talk with you and friends and still be lost during instructional time ... there is a difference between conversational and academic language #HackLearning
That there's a lot going on that they don't understand. I find that my ELLs often spend a lot of time looking around the room and observing their peers. Just like their peers, they are interesting in fitting in and making friends. #HackLearning
A1: Depending on how much English they know they might feel lost during the school day. If they are a beginner, there are some cool apps to help them learn English. Also hoping they are getting services from ELL teacher #EDET543#HackLearning
A1 ELLs have global perspective that can be valued by the educator or make the student feel like an outsider. The teacher sets the tone and determines if they’re welcomed #HackLearning
A1 I think it depends on the Ss and what their experiences were in their culture. Some have high expectations and others may not value as much. #HackLearning
A1: Too often the perspective created is one that values abandoning their cultural identity, emphasizes conformity and sometimes sends a message that “you are not smart enough” #HackLearning
Absolutely! I always say there are languages w/in languages. Every day conversation language; academic language; legal language; medical language, etc. #hacklearning
Circumstances for LIFE trump our focus on learning. Some kids got here for reasons we can’t fathom...that takes precedence in their minds #hacklearning
A1 Many of our ELL students are Chinese, the majority speak Cantonese. Sometimes they resent being in a new school country for a while. So many changes 😬#hacklearning
A1- New perspectives on school, culture, relationships, etc. Language brings more than just a new set of words and syntax - lots of cultural considerations as well #hacklearning
A1: Not understanding in another language is not the same as not understanding - it is our job to differentiate and scaffold the experience and provide ways to share knowledge #HackLearning
A1: Many of our students come from Jamaica or Central America. Many want to work hard. I fear we do not have enough support in place. Small school, limited resources. #HackLearning@A_Dalton13
A1: I believe they may wonder why they have sooo many adults working with them and question whether we have high expectations for them. Are they doing the talking and the thinking or are we doing it for them? #HackLearning
A2: Communication involves more than words. ELs read facial expression, body posture, tone of voice when trying to understand. Learn to correctly pronounce names even if you have to ask multiple times. KEY: Build relationships! #HackLearning
Yes - and I think that wait time is so important so they can navigate translations in their mind to unravel meanings. Need to be patient and encouraging to provide support. #hacklearning
Have to understand that ELs may be able to talk with you and friends and still be lost during instructional time ... there is a difference between conversational and academic language #HackLearning
A2: In our district we are 65% ELLs, most of our schools have ESL paras who can translate. But if not, a lot of the Ss are very helpful in translating for the T says. #HackLearning
The best ELL actualization activity I did in graduate school: Have a conversation leaving out certain letters (ex. A & R). It makes u wait & think as a speaker, and the slow pace can also make u feel self conscious and “stupid” #HackLearning
A2: help them feel empowered. Listen to their questions. Help them feel assured. I also think that helping students find other students who speak their same language helps the student significantly. #hacklearning
A1: Many ELs feel that it is not relevant to them or their lives. They don’t feel they have a place and often feel left out of the discussion due to lack of prior knowledge or context. In terms of school in general, many feel unheard and not supported. #HackLearning
A2: I would translate my messages into Spanish. I bought English and Spanish versions of books for the student to take home. I always talked with her and my Ss embraced her as a friend. #HackLearning
A2 use visual supports (pictures, realia, gestures) ... smile a lot! I’ve used Google translator and other speakers to help (but not too much) ... think #sketchnotes would help! #HackLearning
A2: Always use visuals! Assign an image to your daily schedule so the student knows what is going on. Using differentiation, create graphics for wordy assignments. #EDET543#HackLearning
A1. I had the opportunity to work with an EL classroom last month. They were like sponges. They wanted to hear me read to them discuss the story. #HackLearning
A few important things to consider for newcomers:
1. Say their name correctly.
2. Learn a few words in their language.
3. Display their work
4. SMILE!
This video outlines some other ideas: https://t.co/Ej4JpoZNf1#HackLearning
A2 - In addition to solid language rich strategies, like all quality teaching it is founded on relationships. I find a good smile is a great place to start. #hacklearning
Q2: Visuals & hand gestures can help to communicate. Learning some key phrases in the Ss native language would help (and model learning and acceptance as well) #HackLearning
A2 Monolingual Ts of EL students might rely more on nonverbal communication—facial expressions, tone of voice, body posture, room arrangement, where the EL student is positioned in the room. Doesn’t hurt to notice how these elements impact all students’ experiences. #HackLearning
Yes! It's very helpful to know what a S is/isn't doing in his/her own language b/c it can give such great insight on what might be expected to transfer over to the new language. #HackLearning
A2 - communicating isn’t just vocab. Be intentional w gesture, tone, illustrations. Our division has also equipped every S w software that can translate/read any digital text in most languages #HackLearning
A2: I don't have a great answer - but I will say is Don't Fake it. It is hard to watch an educator try to fake through they know a language. My recommendation - seek out El teachers or director and ASK how to best communicate #hacklearning
Cognitive load comes in, but if I know nothing- the individual responsible for my learning better come with it.... If they can't teach me, provide me with informal outlets and ways for me to relate. #HackLearning
A2:1st and for most SMILE!have poctures, icons, learn a couple of key words in native language. Understand cultureal norms about physical interactions. Gube the students time. #hacklearning
It's not just in the classroom that newcomers need support. They are in a whole new culture and may not understand norms we all take for granted. If you want to learn more, here is a toolkit from DoE. https://t.co/y5AteDZvzr#hacklearning
A1: English learners bring a new perspective to the classroom, they have experienced more than most. I personally feel the teacher can make or break the English learners attitude by the way they include them in the classroom and make them feel each day. #HackLearning
A2: Students can point to their answers (probably pictures then maybe words). Answers do not need to be spoken or written yet! That will happen over time. #HackLearning
A2: #hacklearning visuals and animations may support the translation of meaning...when all else fails create a YouTube video & use translation options: https://t.co/hD4DZlSNO0
A2 Monolingual teachers could reach out to learn key elements of newcomer's language from that student. Show respect & start cultivating relationship through linguistic quid pro quo. #hacklearning
I am so glad to see this about names! I just wrote this post and it fits perfectly. Definitely check out the program! https://t.co/hnJmns5YHp#HackLearning
A2 Listen carefully - many people show impatience when a second language learner is trying to express themself, causing them to feel nervous & stop trying #hacklearning
A2: I make an effort to learn words and phrases in their language. Then I try to use them as I teach. This way the learning goes both ways!
#HackLearning
#HackLearning one way I tried to learn more was to actually interview the EL director. She is very smart and I learned a ton that will help me communicate with students. https://t.co/CSoXa0mrOZ
A2 Including Many visuals, and technology is very helpful. Google Translator and Seesaw also has translation capabilities to communicate with S’s and their families #hacklearning
Caution: Use Google translate selectively. It's not always reliable. Jimmy Fallon & Ann Hathaway Google translate songs: https://t.co/V69XvRzu8l#HackLearning
A2: The world of #edtech and interconnectedness has made it even more possible for monolingual teachers to communicate and differentiate for those learning a new language #HackLearning
I recall in my first year of teaching and limited understanding of other cultures, I thought a student was being disrespectful when he didn't look at me when I was talking to him. I didn't know how different it was in his culture. #HackLearning
Some of our students had little or no schooling in their country of origin. So things like Google Translate, still do not work very good. We luckily have a high enough population that has went thru this transition, that we can get help from classmates. #HackLearning
A2 communication is tough ... in these ELL situations our textbook has versions for different languages, but if you don't use textbook difficulty in finding complementary resources #hacklearning
A2: Visuals, visuals, visuals! Communication can be much more than simply words. Use visuals in every aspect and be patient! Both you and the newcomer are doing the best that they know. #HackLearning
A2 they can build relationships. With one child I used cats cradle - the string game. She taught everyone in the group how to play. The action gave her meaning and self worth. In no time she was speaking English. #HackLearning
A2: Teachers can take the time to learn about and explore their students language and culture to better understand norms, ways of communicating, common traditions, etc. #HackLearning
A2: As an exchange S in college, my Lang skills were not proficient. Non-verbal communication & repetition to learn words were helpful. Small shoulder touches & smiles were encouraging #HackLearning
While I speak a good amount of Spanish, I made an example video to support a Spanish project and recorded it myself. A little embarrassing to hear myself like that but figured it would show that learning goes both ways #HackLearning
True- but then again- it is impossible to explain what others are thinking. Point is------- have the tools, know the tricks, and come withit in a class... Be open to exploration, and iterations.... #HackLearning
A3 Scaffold teaching & response tools, i.e. graffiti boards, @padlet, illustrated books, graphic organizers, Reader's Theater. Explicitly teach academic voc IN context. Allow ELs to access all available linguistic resources to support comprehension.
#HackLearning#translanguaging
A2: Welcome them with genuine caring. Kindness is a universal language. Then use picture cards, sharing actual items, translators or translating words and labeling items to acclimate them to the classroom & content. Buddy them with peers who share their language. #HackLearning
A2: Always use pictures, visuals, labels throughout school and the classroom, translate to make a connection to their own language if possible. Bi-lingual books are great! SMILE and use your body language as well. Be welcoming! Make learning hands on! #HackLearning
Here are some concrete examples of strategies to support English Learners including:
*Metacognitive development
*Bridging
*Schema Building
*Contextualization
*Text Representation
*Modeling
https://t.co/BMk2N9dXG2#HackLearning
#HeartMaps@GeorgiaHeard1 Newcomer ELs express what is most important to them using a multi-modal response tool. Ss choose a part of their heart to write about in a reflection journal. @ELLevateGrant#HackLearning
A3: SPEAK with their other teachers. Give them helpful strategies on what to do in class with those students. Be a voice for the student when the student is needed and help with the development of a schedule that will work the best for the kid. #hacklearning
It’s amazing the things we have in our minds that we expect ‘everyone’ else does too. Little things can have such different meanings and intentions in other cultures. #HackLearning
A3: Use graphic organizers and visuals for anything. Maybe pair them up with a stronger student in subject area and they can help them :) #EDET543#HackLearning
A2: I try to focus on visual lessons, such as #virtualreality which doesn’t present any language barriers. Oos and ahhs tend to be universal for engagement! #HackLearning
A3: Allow the use of home language in the classroom. If a student is proficient in reading their home language, utilize translations. They can first read a sentence of a book in their home language, then in English with scaffolds. #HackLearning
A2 Ts can use digital tools such as @mstranslator to communicate with students. Google translate is good in a pinch as well. Just learned that there is translation capabilities in @Seesaw. #HackLearning
A3: The more you know about EL students and the progression of learning a new language, the better you will be able to suppor them. This blog from #HackLearning author @cultofpedagogy offers 12 ways to support ELs in the Mainstream classroom. https://t.co/8T4v826QR8
A3: never treat a student like he or she is starting from scratch. They may be very “content” knowledgeable in their primary language. We need them to show us their learning in both languages and different ways. #HackLearning
I like tech (FlipGrid) for practicing academic language. Quizlet with verbal pronunciation and visuals, academic word Banks, TIME, patience, #hacklearning
A3 Notice the EL student’s strengths. Talk to colleagues about the student’s strengths. Build upon those strengths. Use our understanding of those strengths to enhance learning for all of our students. #HackLearning
A3 Dr. Fred Jones in Tools for Teaching shares the VIP - Visual Instruction Plan ... a visual guide to an instructional (or non-instructional) procedures. #HackLearning
A3: Visuals are imperative to make that language connection and acquisition. And make content relevant! Also... work on getting your ESOL endorsement! (our district provides a $500/yr stipend for all who obtain it). Ultimately, it helps Ss! #HackLearning
High school ELs attending after-school bilingual book club use @Padlet as a collaborative response tool. Ss respond to text in real time.@ELLevateGrant#HackLearning
Has anyone tried the Clips app with EL students? As far as I know it only works with English, but it will put text on the screen as you say it. Ss could record a reading passage & fix/edit the words Clips doesn't recognize? #HackLearning
A3 - Start, like always, with the goal. It's important to know language vs content vs skills and where ELL will have the hardest time. Scaffold. And for me, consult my ELL Ts who can support me so I can support Ss #hacklearning
A3: Good teaching strategies for all Ss => use of visuals, hands on and movement, less teacher talk, wait time, culturally responsive, graphics, GIFs, organizers, sentence stems and labels.... #HackLearning
That's encouraging. Many of the strategies designed to support ELs are beneficial for all students!
Think Time
Visual Support
Collaborative Conversations
Worth the time to get endorsement. #HackLearning
A3: Visuals are imperative to make that language connection and acquisition. And make content relevant! Also... work on getting your ESOL endorsement! (our district provides a $500/yr stipend for all who obtain it). Ultimately, it helps Ss! #HackLearning
The previous school labeled as ELL and moved on ... nobody thought to ask if student could read/write in own language. I asked ... then shocked that to find out. Wicked high intelligence covered for language deficiency #HackLearning
EL Ss will understand more than they can immediately respond to A think of Language acquisition in small children. Patience & Persistence are ingredients for a successful recipe #Hacklearning
High school ELs attending after-school bilingual book club use @Padlet as a collaborative response tool. Ss respond to text in real time.@ELLevateGrant#HackLearning
A3: Build background knowledge and make learning authentic and relevant. Be intentional about vocabulary and make sure they are using it so they learn it. Have clear learning & language goals. Make content comprehensible. Have HIGH expectations for ALL students. #HackLearning
Q3: Know your students: their stories, lived experiences, language/s, and their unique strengths. Literacy is how we know & are known by others. Use literacy instruction for that purpose. #HackLearning
A3: Create and provide exemplars for students to refer to and follow. This helps to lessen the amount of teacher talk/explaining. Students can see what is expected. Again, helpful for all students, but very helpful for ELLs. #HackLearning
A3: Believe in them and keep the bar high.... don't dumb down the content - ensure productive struggle for deep learning, that shows respect for the students and for learning #hacklearninghttps://t.co/FARIV016Kw
High school ELs attending after-school bilingual book club use @Padlet as a collaborative response tool. Ss respond to text in real time.@ELLevateGrant#HackLearning
A3: I worked with my ELL teacher, he had told me to do as much as Incould in English when speaking with her. Must be patient and listen. Allow all Ss time to process and speak. Safe environments! #HackLearning
A3: Work as a team with other teachers, counselors, tutors, and admin - gain and give advice on how to beat meet the needs of that student.
To be clear, this is what ALL students deserve so it’ll be good practice for implementing at 100%. #HackLearning
A3 James Britton: "Reading & writing float on a sea of talk." So, structures for inviting all students' voice are key. Among my faves, sentence stems & progressions taught here (https://t.co/Im5P6H4Whz); here (https://t.co/5k9d6O6jYu) #hacklearning
High school ELs attending after-school bilingual book club use @Padlet as a collaborative response tool. Ss respond to text in real time.@ELLevateGrant#HackLearning
Thanks, playing with the app more and more. My Ss will be using it to record their reflections on our field trip Thursday. Then I'll try some with EL after I see how they do. #HackLearning
A3: I think basically engulfing the ELL's in the new language is important, allowing some scaffolding with the native language, building in more group work, using visuals, and being patient. #HackLearning
Our math curriculum uses consistent mathematical language routines, so Ss see same vocabulary with all lessons, and can focus on learning the math rather than having to acquire vocabulary in order to access the math.
Just one of the pioneering supports for #ELLs. #hacklearning
Q3: Know your students: their stories, lived experiences, language/s, and their unique strengths. Literacy is how we know & are known by others. Use literacy instruction for that purpose. #HackLearning
A3 I have been using @Newsela for reading differentiation. Ss can read same article but at appropriate reading level. I combine it with @Flipgrid for reflection of reading. It’s a great combo. #HackLearning
A3: Make connections, build background with visuals, use gestures/act it out, partner w/other students, understand language acquisition and use discourse as often as possible with sentence frames. Talk, listen. Then scaffold, scaffold, scaffold. #HackLearning
A3: remember..... English is extremely difficult to learn, much of it has no real rhyme or reason to someone just learning it, patience goes a long way. #HackLearning
Q3: Literature and literacy activities where they are the experts! What do they know? Make that the Lang curriculum then they can focus on L2 acquisition. #HackLearning
Yes - high expectations are important to encou#rage and support growth. Easy to ‘settle’ and lower expectations but persevere and be patient to allow them to work it through. #HackLearning
A3: Build background knowledge and make learning authentic and relevant. Be intentional about vocabulary and make sure they are using it so they learn it. Have clear learning & language goals. Make content comprehensible. Have HIGH expectations for ALL students. #HackLearning
A3 Lots of visuals, modidfy assignments with visual supports, sentence starters, Peer partner, smile, be empathetic! Many S’s are overwhelmed. #HackLearning
Join #HackLearning chat March 4 at 8:30-9:00am EDT when Sean Scanlon @polonerd will be guest moderator leading chat on the "hacky" topic of Building Better PD.
We have not officially launched this amazing book by @AngelaStockman, but #HackLearning chat attendees always get it first.
Click the link, and you'll find a very special surprise. Thanks for chatting today.
https://t.co/CRyz4j6cwP
A3: I wrote this after last weeks inspiring #hacklearning chat but think it fits Q3.... we have to ensure critical thinking for our El students. Teach them how to think, NOT what to think @markbarnes19https://t.co/mJz6RTGmTd
Usually I wrote the message in both so when Indid Spanish they were like.... what? I used translator a lot. Checked with Spanish teacher to make sure it was accurate first. #HackLearning
A3: While some Ss may write 2 paragraphs w/o supports, some Ss may use a graphic organizer, some may write 1 paragraph, some may fill in a paragraph w vocab, some may draw their answer, etc. Let Ss show their understanding in the appropriate way for them. #HackLearning
A3--- I keep on thinking of a book called Focus----Mike Schmoker.... ELL strategy throughout the entire work, read, write, and talk it out. #HackLearning
A3.2 We rely on verbal communication for instruction, assessment, and relationships. We might be anxious about supporting an EL student. We can acknowledge our anxiousness as a sign that we care about our students and still choose how we want to behave.
#HackLearning
