Understanding Diversity in Class
How to understand ELLs/SIFE students BETTER as an Educator
Participants will:
-Discuss how to fulfill their needs
-Explore useful websites to support their academic needs
Who are the students that we are teaching today?
Diverse Strategies to Diverse Students
Misconceptions about ELLs (English Language Learners)
- ELLs shouldn't be exposed to grade-level texts.
- When teachings ELLs, teachers should avoid the use of Academic Language.
- ELLs should master Everyday Language first, followed by Academic Language.
Myths about SIFE (Students with Interrupted Informal Education)
- SIFE shouldn't exposed to grade-level texts.
- SIFE students have more likelihood not to graduate on time.
- When teaching SIFE, avoid the use of Academic Language.
ELLs population by borough in NYC public schools
Langauge Spoken
SIFE by borough
<Examples of Power Instructions>
See, Think, Wonder
1. First - See It .... look closely (What do you see?)
2. Second - Think .... interpretation (What do you think about what you see?)
3. Third - Wonder ... Ask questions (What do you wonder?)
- Visual images, objects, artifacts, dramatizations, videos, short passages can be used.
Read, Retell, Respond
eventually write the 'retell'. The goal of this strategy is to read for meaning and
to enhance language development.
Example>
Day 1 - Teacher reads and models retelling.
Teacher reads and students retell.
Teacher asks "What is it about?"
Day 2 - Students read the same text and retell.
Day 3 - Lesson Defferentiated
Different level of questions are given to different students with the same text
according to their language levels.
Langauge Experience Approach
- Benefits of this strategy: ownership, student centered, multiple entry points,
fluency practice (written and oral), less stress/pressure of complex text