And now it’s time for #ELLCHAT !! Welcome to our discussion about using UDL - Universal Design for Learning - approaches for teaching ELLs of all ages. We use a Q and A format to keep things straight. Here comes question #1...
A1 I’m Karen Nemeth, and I am an author/consultant who teaches teachers all over the country about early learning for children who are ELLs/DLLs #ELLCHAT
We are looking forward to talking about Universal Design for Learning which is central to some educators’ work with ELLs, while others have never heard of it. #ELLCHAT
Q3) Universal Design is a proactive approach to adapting environments to give all students access to learning. How do you provide equal (or equitable) access for all ELLs? #ELLCHAT
A1: Hi all. - I'm Mila Paige, I am a student teacher in a high school in Hayward, CA and am getting my masters and teaching credential at UC Berkeley #ELLCHAT#musedigped
Q2) Universal Design is a proactive approach to adapting environments to give all students access to learning. How do you provide equal (or equitable) access for all ELLs? #ELLCHAT
A3 if you think of ways you prepare the materials, the layout, and displays in a classroom proactively to ensure each individual student can access learning in their own way - you ARE doing UDL! #ELLCHAT
A2 if you think of ways you prepare the materials, the layout, and displays in a classroom proactively to ensure each individual student can access learning in their own way - you ARE doing UDL! #ELLCHAT
A2 Another way to prepare the environment proactively so you are ready to meet each student’s needs is to bring in technology. What kinds of tech help you make learning accessible to diverse ELLs? #ELLCHAT
Suzy from Heartland Learning Center. NBCT, Former HS English teacher, state literacy lead, literacy grant director, and now a passionate startup co-founder (eeee!) focused like a laser on doing T professional learning differently and better! #ellchat
A2: I include an extension on every worksheet and leverage students native language with bilingual texts when I can. For example, students are reading The House on Mango Street in English and Spanish in my class right now #ELLCHAT@MUSEdigped
A2 - Providing different ways for students to demonstrate their learning is actually a core principle of Universal Design for Learning! UDL was thought of as a tool for special education, but it really is an approach that supports the work we do with ELLs, too! #ELLCHAT
A2) I allow students who still struggle with the legibility of their handwriting the choice to take notes in our Google Classroom so they get the correct spelling (and some computer literacy skills) along with traditional pencil and paper notes #ELLCHAT
A2: I am a pre-service teacher and would love to know more about technology resources for ell students. One I've heard of is "Starfall" very customized learning. #ellchat
A2 The great thing about tech resources is that you get them in advance, then you have them to help any student: For ex. student with limited formal education starts mid year, or student who is ELL and has disability - you are ready! #ELLCHAT
A2 Welcome, Nina. I’ll be honest - I’m not in favor of apps or websites that do the teaching. On #ELLCHAT you’ll see a lot more ways to use tech to help students get the most from what YOU are teaching - such as translation apps, game generators, and making/tinkering
A2: I am a pre-service teacher and would love to know more about technology resources for ell students. One I've heard of is "Starfall" very customized learning. #ellchat
A2: I am a pre-service teacher and would love to know more about technology resources for ell students. One I've heard of is "Starfall" very customized learning. #ellchat
A2 When we talk about UDL - we are not talking about trying to make adaptations after a student enrolls. We are talking about proactively planning so that what you have and what you do can enable access for any kind of student. #ELLCHAT
Q3) UDL is also proactive approach to adapting teaching for all students. How do your lesson plans work in advance to address options for different needs? #ELLCHAT
A2 When we talk about UDL - we are not talking about trying to make adaptations after a student enrolls. We are talking about proactively planning so that what you have and what you do can enable access for any kind of student. #ELLCHAT
A2 Don’t do it now ;) but after this #ELLCHAT , download Google Translate Mobile App to your iPhone or Android. Hold the device over a document or page, and the camera will show the print in a different language for you! UDL! #ELLCHAT
A2 I also talk a lot about using story making apps so you and/or students can creates stories with photos or drawings, then add any words, any language, any level you wish and all Ss can access the learning - even have voice recording! #ELLCHAT
A2 Don’t do it now ;) but after this #ELLCHAT , download Google Translate Mobile App to your iPhone or Android. Hold the device over a document or page, and the camera will show the print in a different language for you! UDL! #ELLCHAT
A3 So - now back to Q3 … Do you write things in your lesson plan that specify how you will adapt lessons and activities for each student? or do you just adapt in the moment? #ELLCHAT
A3 So - now back to Q3 … Do you write things in your lesson plan that specify how you will adapt lessons and activities for each student? or do you just adapt in the moment? #ELLCHAT
A3 We get a lot of pressure to do more and more with lesson plans, don’t you think? We’re supposed to individualize, differentiate, etc etc. How do you do it? #ELLCHAT
A3 As a preservice teacher we have a very detailed lesson plan template which asks us to think through evidence of learning (what does learning for this segment of the lesson look like?) This helps me plan potential adaptations depending on student responses. #ELLChat#MUSEDigPed
A3 So - now back to Q3 … Do you write things in your lesson plan that specify how you will adapt lessons and activities for each student? or do you just adapt in the moment? #ELLCHAT
A2: We did a project about gardening and for our final assignment students worked in groups to create and show what they learned in the different centers in our classroom (table toys, blocks, realia, art). We later took a video of them using vocabulary and concepts. #ELLCHAT
A3: Survey Ss on what they already know and want to know. This info helps drive instruction. Learning includes diff grouping options & personalized, scaffolded instruction. Give Ss choice how to demo learning. #ellchat
A3) I don't think teachers can do it. If you have 5 ELLs in your class, they'll be at 5 different levels and have very different needs on any given day. And that will change very often. #ELLCHAT
A3 We get a lot of pressure to do more and more with lesson plans, don’t you think? We’re supposed to individualize, differentiate, etc etc. How do you do it? #ELLCHAT
A3) Scaffolding ELLs & Struggling Readers in a Universal Literacy Environment With Embedded Strategy Instruction and Vocabulary Support https://t.co/7CBK6Xnxtd#ELLCHAT
When I was student teaching my lesson plans were painfully long. I would almost script the conversation I thought I was going to have. But after a couple of months I realized that our EL's always throw a curve ball and my scaffolds don't always go as planned. #ELLCHAT
I find it a better use of energy to live in the moment with scaffolding especially since I'd have to account for multiple methods of differentiation. I think about what could work beforehand but I don't get too attached. #ELLCHAT
Q4) How is your state or district addressing Universal Design for Learning for all students? What strategies do they use for ELLs? #ELLCHAT I know some states require it!
I find it a better use of energy to live in the moment with scaffolding especially since I'd have to account for multiple methods of differentiation. I think about what could work beforehand but I don't get too attached. #ELLCHAT
A3: lesson plans need to be flexible, especially at the beginning of the year. Working with young children, I feel that the best way to differentiate is working on individual goals. #ELLCHAT
A4 Quote from Maryland regs: “superintendents shall certify in writing to the State Superintendent of Schools that UDL principles and guidelines…are used for ongoing curriculum development.” (certification will be required every 3 years, thereafter) #ELLCHAT
Yes!! And becoming comfortable with that wait time as the educator is crucial for ELs. I'm in year 2 and I still struggle with it! As time goes by though you'll see the benefits. #ELLCHAT
A3: Actually, I do write how I anticipate scaffolding for different Ss based on what I know about them as learners. But, I always adapt in the moment in order to be responsive to their needs. We need to be flexible -a component of UDL. #ELLchat
A3 So - now back to Q3 … Do you write things in your lesson plan that specify how you will adapt lessons and activities for each student? or do you just adapt in the moment? #ELLCHAT
Q5 ) What resources have helped you in preparing your lessons, your assessments, and your materials to provide equitable access for your students? #ELLCHAT
A5) I always used a lot of different books with multiple supports to cover the same topics as the textbook for my ELLs. National Geographic books were a favorite. #ELLCHAT
A5: My greatest and best resources that have helped me in preparing our lessons and assessments to provide equitable access are my students!#studentvoice#ELLchat
A5 I can’t find the citation now, but in New York state department of ed, the rules say Every Teacher is a Teacher of ELLs. Have you seen that? #ELLCHAT
A5 I can’t find the citation now, but in New York state department of ed, the rules say Every Teacher is a Teacher of ELLs. Have you seen that? #ELLCHAT
A5: My biggest resource will always be my mentor teachers. I've learned quite a few tricks from observing veteran teachers and my fellow BT's alike (that includes my Twitter fam). I learn both what does and doesn't work. #ELLCHAT
A5 That may be true - but what they did was to write it directly into their guidance and their blueprint and they bring it up in their presentations - have raised it as a tentpole, I’d say #ELLCHAT
A5 I can’t find the citation now, but in New York state department of ed, the rules say Every Teacher is a Teacher of ELLs. Have you seen that? #ELLCHAT
