STEM With English Language Learners

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activities are highly engaging for students.  This is particularly true for English Language Learners. A key component is that the disciplines are integrated. Students typically have a real world problem to solve or project to create. Here are some overviews of using STEM in the elementary classroom: what-is-stem the-benefits-of-stem-activities Reasons …

Halloween Tips and Activities for English Language Learners

Halloween is a holiday that many children look forward to each year. For ESOL students that are newcomers they may not have experienced Halloween in the past or celebrated it in a much different way. These students will benefit from a basic explanation of what the holiday is and different ways that it is celebrated …

Assessing ESOL students & Changes to WIDA scoring

Throughout the school year I am constantly assessing my ESOL students. Often this is through short formative assessments that are integrated into activities we are already doing. Using Rubrics for quick assessments To get a sense of their speaking level I will sometimes take out the WIDA speaking rubric and simply listen to students conversations …

Integrating Speaking and Writing

My ESOL students need a large amount of practice with speaking and writing. Writing in particular is often a difficult task for them.  Some of them have a hard time generating ideas, others get bogged down with the mechanics of writing (especially spelling).  We have also been working this year on adding details to their …

Vocabulary Building File Folder Games

I have some newcomers that I just started working with.  They love games so I came up with some file folder games to help them practice basic vocabulary.  The students are at two different levels: some are able to read the others has some basic letter sound knowledge.  All have low expressive vocabulary. We are practicing nouns …