ELLs: Thinking Skills and CCSS, Focus on the Six Shifts

ELLs: Thinking Skills and CCSS, Focus on the Six Shifts
Author: Estee Lopez
Publisher: National Professional Resources Inc./Dude Publishing
Total Pages: 6
Release: 2013-01-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1935609858

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA) require students to engage higher level thinking skills and language use to activate their understanding of content/text. They are designed to be academically rigorous for all students, and are especially so for students who are English language learners (ELL). In ELLs: Thinking Skills and CCSS, Dr. Estee Lopez provides evidence-based instructional approaches as well as best practices for helping ELLs meet the CCSS for ELA. The six-page (tri-fold) guide is structured around the six shifts embodied in the CCSS for English Language Arts: 1. Increasing reading of informational text/balancing informational and literary texts 2. Knowledge in the disciplines 3. Staircase of complexity 4. Text-based answers 5. Writing from sources 6. Academic language The guide explains each shift, its implications for ELLs, and what is required of teachers. For each shift, the author lists best practices, examples of scaffolding for ELLs, and things that teachers and administrators must to do create conditions that ensure that ELLs succeed.

Pathways to Thinking Schools

Pathways to Thinking Schools
Author: David N. Hyerle
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2014-03-19
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1483359069

Give students the essential thinking skills they need to thrive. Exclusively content-focused teaching may improve test scores, but it leaves students without the cognitive skills for success in an information-overloaded world where deep thinking, collaborative problem solving, and emotional intelligence is essential. In this book, David Hyerle presents case studies of schools and educators who have applied these powerful models, in some case system-wide, to remedy this situation, including: Visual learning tools including Hyerle’s renowned Thinking Maps A language for students to improve their intellectual-emotional behaviors as they learn A system for developing students’ abilities to ask questions in the context of a developing Community of Inquiry

English Language Learners in Preschool

English Language Learners in Preschool
Author: Estee Lopez
Publisher: National Professional Resources Inc
Total Pages: 6
Release: 2015-05-05
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1935609998

As the population of English Language Learners (ELLs) continues to grow, there is increasing concern over the widening achievement gap between these students and their peers whose first language is English. Research shows that when preschool educators focus on ensuring that ELLs develop basic foundational skills in language and literacy, the potential for these students to succeed is optimized. It is therefore essential that educators working with these young learners make instructional decisions based on proven practices and solid research. This six-page laminated reference guide by Estee Lopez provides Pre-K teachers of ELLs with specific evidence-based strategies for promoting a strong language and literacy foundation. It focuses on the following six key elements: (1) Family engagement, (2) Oral language and literacy, (3) Cultural awareness, (4) Social & emotional growth, (5) Learning and cognitive skills, (6) Program models and strategies. Using the strategies and methods outlined in this guide, teachers will set the foundation for long-term success for young ELLs.

ELLs: Co-Teaching and Collaboration

ELLs: Co-Teaching and Collaboration
Author: Andrea Honigsfeld
Publisher: National Professional Resources Inc
Total Pages: 6
Release: 2015-06-23
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1938539036

Collaborative services are a highly effective way of delivering specialized instruction to English language learners (ELLs). This new quick-reference guide is designed to support all educators of ELLs (ESL specialists, classroom teachers, paraeducators) as they engage in a complete collaborative instructional cycle consisting of co-planning, co-teaching, co-assessing, and reflecting on practice. The guide identifies and describes the four phases of the collaborative instructional cycle. It presents A collaborative planning framework and tools for collaborative planning; Seven co-teaching models, along with advantages and challenges of each; The steps and goals of collaborative assessment; Four critical questions for reflection on action; Guidance on how to help students meet English language development goals.

Advocating for English Learners

Advocating for English Learners
Author: Diane Staehr Fenner
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2013-09-18
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1452257698

"English learners (ELs) are the fastest-growing segment of the K-12 population. But Els and their families, who are in the process of learning English and navigating an often-unfamiliar education system, may not have a voice powerful enough to articulate their needs. Consequently, all teachers and administrators must advocate for this all-important diverse group of students who will become tomorrow's workforce."--Back cover.

CCSS and ELLs: Common Core State Standards and English Language Learners

CCSS and ELLs: Common Core State Standards and English Language Learners
Author: Estee Lopez
Publisher: National Professional Resources Inc./Dude Publishing
Total Pages: 6
Release: 2012-01-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1935609696

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) pose an exciting challenge for all educators and their students, each of whom is expected to meet these standards. The CCSS in English Language Arts (ELA) articulate rigorous grade-level expectations focused on higher order thinking processes in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing to prepare all students to be college and career ready. To this end, this reference guide is designed to increase educators' ability to make teaching and learning decisions based on research-based best practices for the academic and language achievement of English language learners (ELLs). It can also serve to initiate professional learning conversations and guide educators to resources that accelerate and improve the teaching and learning of ELL students.

Navigating the Common Core with English Language Learners

Navigating the Common Core with English Language Learners
Author: Larry Ferlazzo
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 390
Release: 2016-05-02
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1119023009

The must-have Common Core guide for every ESL/ELL instructor Navigating the Common Core with English Language Learners is the much-needed practical guide for ESL/ELL instructors. Written by experienced teachers of English Language Learners, this book provides a sequel to the highly-regarded ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide and is designed to help teachers implement the Common Core in the ELL classroom. You'll find a digest of the latest research and developments in ELL education, along with comprehensive guidance in reading and writing, social studies, math, science, Social Emotional Learning and more. The Common Core is discussed in the context of ESL, including the opportunities and challenges specific to ELL students. Ready-to-use lesson plans and reproducible handouts help you bring these ideas into the classroom, and expert guidance helps you instill the higher-order thinking skills the Common Core requires. The Common Core standards have been adopted in 43 states, yet minimal guidance has been provided for teachers of English Language Learners. This book fills the literature gap with the most up-to-date theory and a host of practical implementation tools. Get up to date on the latest stats and trends in ELL education Examine the challenges and opportunities posed by Common Core Find solutions to common issues that arise in teaching ELL students Streamline Common Core implementation in the ELL classroom The ELL population is growing at a rapid pace, and the ELL classroom is not exempt from the requirements posed by the Common Core State Standards. ESL/ELL teachers know better than anyone else how critical language is to learning, and ELL students need a specialized Common Core approach to avoid falling behind. Navigating the Common Core with English Language Learners provides specific guidance and helpful tools that teachers can bring to the classroom today.

Teaching ELLs to Read

Teaching ELLs to Read
Author: Paul Boyd-Batstone
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 155
Release: 2015-04-10
Genre: Education
ISBN: 131770200X

In this essential book from ELL-expert Paul Boyd-Batstone, you’ll find out how to teach reading while keeping in mind the unique needs of English language learners. You’ll learn best practices and differentiated strategies for each domain of the Common Core Foundational Reading Skills, including print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency. Topics covered include: Ideas for using contextual support to help ELLs climb the staircase of complexity; How to teach print concepts, such as noting word separation and using punctuation; Strategies for teaching phonological awareness, including distinguishing vowel sounds and blending sounds; Ways to teach phonics and word recognition using informational and literary texts; and Exemplary ideas for teaching fluency, such as through poetry, drama, and digital media. The book is filled with ready-to-use activities and complete lesson plans that address selected CCSS performance tasks at each grade level. These lesson plans demonstrate how to differentiate instruction based on your ELLs’ reading level. The book also includes performance-level descriptors, rubrics, and templates, available for free download from our website at http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781138017696.

Evaluating ALL Teachers of English Learners and Students With Disabilities

Evaluating ALL Teachers of English Learners and Students With Disabilities
Author: Diane Staehr Fenner
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2015-03-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1483394190

Teacher evaluation can be a valuable tool for evaluators and teachers alike. But it should never be used in a "one-size-fits-all" manner, especially when evaluating all teachers who work with the nation’s growing numbers of English learners (ELs) and students with disabilities. Just as these diverse students’ needs require nuanced teaching methods, the evaluations of all teachers who work with these students require unique considerations. Such considerations are precisely what you’ll learn in this comprehensive, action-oriented book. Drawing on a focused array of authoritative research on supporting the success of ELs and students with disabilities, case studies, and action plans, the authors detail Four principles for inclusive teacher evaluation of diverse learners that are compatible with the Danielson and Marzano frameworks Sample specialized "look-fors" that evaluators can use and adapt to recognize effective teaching of ELs and students with disabilities Strategies for coaching teachers of ELs and students with disabilities who need more support reaching these learners Teaching ELs and students with disabilities can be one of the most challenging experiences in an educator’s career, and also one of the most rewarding if educators have the tools they need. With this book, the first of its kind, your school can become a leader in the field by taking part in conversations that center on equitable teaching of diverse learners as well as valid evaluation of those who serve them in classrooms. "Staehr Fenner, Kozik, and Cooper provide a framework for rich instructional conversations that moves teacher evaluation from the blame game to a collaborative and informative process that empowers teaching effectiveness and student learning." —Spencer Salend, Emeritus Professor of Educational Studies State University of New York at New Paltz "In this book, the authors successfully outline an objective assessment framework that builds educators’ individual and collective capacity to improve their practice, not only with ELs but with all their students. A must-read for teachers and evaluators alike." —Rosa Aronson, Executive Director TESOL International Association

Writing to Learn

Writing to Learn
Author: William Zinsser
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 331
Release: 2013-04-30
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0062244698

This is an essential book for everyone who wants to write clearly about any subject and use writing as a means of learning.