Syllabus
Linda Dara
ESOL Teacher
864-355-3338
About Placement into the ESOL program
WIDA W-APT (Wida Access Placement Test) is given to K5 students and students new to the state who have an additional language other than English written on the Parent Home Language Form. Students are screened and placed in appropriate services. Students receiving a score of 27 or higher on the W-APT are not considered LEP (Limited English Proficient) and are placed on a monitoring status.
WIDA - ACCESS (Accessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State) is given to all ESOL students each Spring. Scores are sent home in the fall. Students receive a score 1-6 indicating level of English proficiency. ESOL students receive a composite score as well as a score for the domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Level 1 - Entering
Level 2 - Emerging
Level 3 - Developing
Lever 4 - Expanding
Level 5 - Bridging
Level 6 - Reaching
When a student reaches 5 or above on all 4 domains at grade 3 or above, he/she is placed in a monitoring status for two years and is not considered LEP.
ESOL students take the same standardized tests as their peers. However, LEP students entering US schools for the first time after July 1 of that academic year qualify for exemption from the ELA portion of the standardized state test given in Spring. ESOL students may be eligible to receive oral administration on some of these standardized tests as deemed appropriate and reasonable by the classroom teacher and ESOL teacher.
Grading Procedures
The ESOL teacher does not assign grades. An ESOL student performing below grade level and is receiving accommodations and/or modifications to class assignments and assessments may receive comment #86 (reflects modified curriculum) on their progress reports.
Student Records
All ESOL student records are updated at the beginning of the year and throughout the year as necessary. ESOL folders are kept inside the students' permanent records.
Homework Policy
ESOL teachers do not assign homework. However, I encourage ESOL students to borrow books, flashcards, and activities from our ESOL classroom to enjoy at home.
Communication with Parents
An ESOL teacher communicates with parents in the following ways:
Verbal and written conferencing
Parent meetings at school
Notification and Consent forms
Accommodation forms sent through email
WIDA standards (ELDS - English Language Development Standards)
ELDS 1 - English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes with in the school setting
ELDS 2 - English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of language arts
ELDS 3 - English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of mathematics
ELDS 4 - English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of science
ELDS 5 - English language learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of social studies
Level 1 - Newcomer Objectives
Identify and write the letters of the alphabet and alphabetical order
Identify and write numbers from one to one hundred and ordinal numbers
Practice using basic greetings and personal information such as age, birthday, and interests
Identify colors and use colors to describe objects
Identify basic classroom objects and places in the school
Identify days of the week and months of the year
Identify and use family member vocabulary
Identify and express basic needs
Understand and give simple directions or commands
Make introductions and respond appropriately
Identify and discuss classes and subjects using days of the week and months of the year
Use greetings and expressions of courtesy in a variety of social situations
Identify and tell time
Ask questions and use the words what, when, where, who, andwhy
Identify and use some idiomatic expressions
Identify and express individual character traits
Level 2 Beginner Objectives
Continue Newcomer objectives not mastered
Express preferences, likes, and dislikes
Use vocabulary related to clothing, home, places, and transportation
Describe daily activities
Give directions
Find and give information
Take information from signs, simple reading passages, newspapers, and other reference sources
Continue previous objectives not mastered
Identify and count coins, US currency
Talk about activities in the past and future
Identify and practice using idioms
Increase vocabulary and focus on words that are easily confused
Level 3 Intermediate Objectives
Communicate on a variety of topics in social settings
Ask and answer questions
Read and respond to a variety of fiction and non-fiction stories
Identify the elements in short stories
Identify patterns in word structure
Increase vocabulary and reading skills in the content areas
Read a variety of printed material
Write for different purposes using a variety of forms
Arrange ideas in logical order
Use pronouns, adjectives, prepositions, and articles appropriately
Use a variety of reference materials such as dictionaries
Behavior Expectations
Safe: Keep hands and feet to self
Use appropriate language and voice
Listen to Directions
Orderly: Use materials as intended
Stay in assigned area and on task
Move around the room safely
Return materials to proper location
Respectful: Follow Teacher Directions
Listen to each other
Be ready to learn
Rewards:
Verbal affirmation and praise
Paw bucks
A special note home
A special book to borrow
Consequences for violating class and school rules/policies:
Verbal warning
Change in seating during activity
Conference with Teacher/parent/administration
