Heyo Gateway Teachers,
Since you will likely have a fair amount of time this afternoon, the ESOL department is here with our monthly toolbox newsletter, where we highlight ONE instructional strategy that you can hopefully implement in your classroom right now to help English Language Learners (ELLs).
1. TIP FOR OCTOBER: Provide clear, succinct instructions to prepare your students for success.
Scenario: You just spent 5 minutes explaining the directions for an activity that are also written at the top of the worksheet that all your students have in front of them. Your ELL students stare at you blankly when you say, "Go!".
Has this ever happened to you??? Relax; I am with you. Here are some ways to provide clear instructions that will help not only your ELL students, but ALL your students!
Quick Video Clip (<5 minutes) where I discuss the format and style of instructions.
Using Teams to Write Simple Instructions (6 minutes) How to adapt instructions using TEAMs' built-in components is demonstrated in this video. Quick and simple—TEAMS can read even it to them as well! Show them how it will help them in all their classes.
In Short:
Use clear, slow-spoken instructions paired with short, written instructions (projected on board and/or in Teams) in lists/bullet form.
Repeat (or better yet, have students repeat back to you what they are going to do first, second, etc.)
Avoid asking: Do you understand?
Try instead: What will you do first?
Have a model available to look at.
Use check-ins throughout steps to help keep them on task.
2. POLL FOR NEXT MONTH'S TOPIC
For next month, please take this quick poll so we can tailor our work to your needs. Thanks in advance!
Poll: Help us gear this toolbox toward what you want/need! Put these topics in the order you wou
3. PREVIOUS EDITIONS
If you missed the first edition or want to find the details of any of the newsletters, here they are.
Best,
Ms. Annmarie Maher
Math/ESOL Teacher
Gateway STEM High School
Annmarie.maher@slps.org