TPR is the combination of body movements that connect action to language. The visual and kinesthetic actions help ELL students recall vocabulary and understand their teachers.

Watch this short video if you want to learn more about using TPR in a K-3 classroom.

Use Question, Signal, Stem, Share, Assess (QSSSA) to scaffold classroom discussions with ELLs.

Question - pose a question, then gives ample think and wait time

Signal - a signal or motion that lets students show that they are ready to answer (thumbs up, finger on nose etc.)

Stem - provide a sentence starter for the question—for example, “What is your favorite special at school?” the stem might be, “My favorite special is _____”). Visuals can also be a great tool to scaffold questions and answers.

Share - share answers and give opportunities for students to talk

Assess

Modeling is critical in a K-3 classroom. Modeling is explicitly showing your students what they will be asked to do.

5 Types of Effective Modeling By Daria Witt, Michael Soet

Watch this short video if you want to learn more about using modeling in a K-3 classroom.

Research has proven that waiting 3-5 seconds after posing a question gives English Learners time to translate to their native language, process thinking, translate back into English, and grow the courage to answer. Speak slowly and give more wait time to give the English Learners in your class time to process and encourage participation.

Talk talk talk! Give your students the opportunity to try on new language in a safe environment. Allow opportunities for your students to make mistakes and learn!

Watch this short video if you want to learn more about student output.

Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model is a research-based model that has proven effective in addressing the academic needs of English learners.

The SIOP Model consists of eight components: Lesson Preparation, Building Background, Comprehensible Input, Strategies, Interaction, Practice/Application, Lesson Delivery and Review & Assessment.

Click here for SIOP lesson plans and activities.

Click here to find PD opportunities focused on SIOP

"The WIDA Can Do Descriptors provide examples of what language learners can do at various stages of English language development in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The WIDA Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition and the example descriptors are not exhaustive but are meant to help guide the planning and conversation around meaningful participation of language learners in stardards-based contest curriculum, instruction, and assessment." - WIDA Can Do Descriptors, Key Uses Edition

Click on the appropriate grade band for each Can Do Descriptor. These descriptors can be used to differentiate instruction and assessment based on your students English Language Proficiency.

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grades 2-3