Succeeding in a Diverse Classroom
Best Practices & Resources for English Learners
Volume 4, Issue 4-June 2021
Welcome!
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it." ~ Winston Churchill
Melanie Yocom
Email: myocom@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/Page/719#calendar13881/20200304/month
Phone: 817-740-7563
Twitter: @myocomesc11
English Learners and Math Instruction
English Learners will need support mastering the language of math to use when solving word problems and using math language in class to explain thinking.
Please note:
- Regardless of grade level, a beginner is a beginner. A secondary teacher may need to utilize elementary resources to make concepts comprehensible.
- Suggestions below may need to be adjusted to meet the student's English Proficiency Level.
Below you will find information and resources to support Math instruction with English Learners.
Disclaimer: Is it English Language Learner or English Learner?
You will notice that many of the resources below use the term English Language Learner.
Many states use different terms such as English Language Learner (ELL), Multilingual Learner, English Language Development (ELD), First Language Not English (FLNE), Newcomers, Emergent Bilinguals, Language Minority (LM).
Tips for Teaching Beginners (aka Newcomers)
- Don't assume a student understands or knows the name of an object.
- Speak clearly and don't speak too fast.
- Affective needs are a priority.
- Use LOTS of visuals and gestures.
- Don't force a beginner to speak. Many ELs go through a silent period as they absorb the culture and language.
- Model, model, model.
- Gradual Release approach: I do, We do, You do
- Provide opportunities to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing to develop proficiency.
- Don't "water hose" students with content.
- "Chunk" information into bite-sized pieces.
- Explicit instruction in grammar and vocabulary is key.
All of the above plays an integral role in Sheltered Instruction best practices.
Academic Math Vocabulary Instruction is Essential
- Provide explicit instruction of multiple-meaning words and how to use in a mathematical context.
- Pre-teach key vocabulary and phrases (ex: more than, less than, etc.).
- Utilize bilingual translations of math vocabulary and concepts.
- Provide visuals and videos -- "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember."
- Use gestures to communicate and explain.
- Use manipulatives to demonstrate.
Building Background Knowledge
- Accommodate the language in word problems by rephrasing a math problem using simplistic language and stated in shorter sentences. Do not eliminate the original word problem, but provide the accommodated version alongside.
- Use real-world examples by using pictures, videos, and props.
- Use manipulatives to represent numbers in a word problem.
Utilize Sheltered Instruction Strategies
- Have students write out a number sentence into words to practice new vocabulary. (ex: 3x4=12 Three times four equals twelve. To extend, have student write out how they got the answer.
- Use sentence frames as both talking and writing stems. (ex: The answer is ______ because ______. or I got the answer ______ by _______.)
- Allow students to discuss their thinking with a partner. The teacher should not be quick to answer or explain but allow the students to first share their thinking.
- Incorporate opportunities to write about the concepts learned or share questions that remain.
Reading and Understanding Math Problems
- Read the math word problem together. Repeat if needed.
- Break up the word problem into smaller segments.
- The teacher models thinking process aloud using pictures, manipulatives, and translations.
- Use Total Physical Response (TPR) to show a student.
- The student shows thinking using number sentences, pictures, and translations.
- Allow students to show understanding by acting it out, drawing, or diagrams.
- Allow the student to practice new learning with support and feedback.
Process for Solving Math Problems
Before Solving the Problem
- Introduce the content and language objectives for the lesson.
- Determine background knowledge of the students.
- Preview pictures, video, text, and manipulatives to generate ideas about the concept.
- Pre-teach key vocabulary.
- Explain the gist of the concept and confirm that the student understands.
While Solving the Problem
- Model thinking aloud.
- Have students brainstorm ideas for ways to solve the problem.
- Model how to solve the problem by breaking it down and providing a simpler version of the problem.
- Look for patterns in the problem.
After Solving the Problem
- Allow students to orally explain their thinking with peers and teacher.
- Encourage connections to self and the real world.
- Allow students to show understanding through drawings, graphic organizers, or orally.
FREE Lessons to Explain and Practice Math Concepts
Visual Math
Utilize BrainPOP to Provide Visuals, Examples, and Key Vocabulary
Accommodate Language Using These Tools
Multilingual Math Glossaries
ESC Region 11 Math Team
Sites to Bookmark
- Texthelp https://www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/free-for-teachers/
- TalkingPoints - Reach all your students' families in their home language https://talkingpts.org/
- Read, Write, Speak https://thinkalong.org
- Make Beliefs Comix https://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
- Digital Tool https://www.tes.com/lessons
- Digital Tool https://padlet.com
- Promote listening & speaking https://flipgrid.com/
- Create class lists, activities, assignments, and assessments https://www.vocabulary.com
- Classroom Screen https://classroomscreen.com/
- Interactive classroom in real time https://www.classkick.com
- K-5 Reading Student Centers http://www.fcrr.org/resources/resources_sca.html
- Free Content Power Points & Interactive activities http://www.pppst.com/
- Transform lessons to make learning impactful and engaging, or allow students to create animated products to show mastery https://www.powtoon.com/edu-home/
- Current event articles to promote critical reading, writing, and speaking http://wordgen.serpmedia.org/
- English Learner Teacher Support http://www.colorincolorado.org/
- Writing Guru Gretchen Bernabei http://trailofbreadcrumbs.net/
- Free reading passages & literacy resources https://www.commonlit.org/
- 2,000+ multidisciplinary wonders https://wonderopolis.org/
- Free reading passages by lexile level and content https://www.readworks.org/
- Lead4ward.com http://lead4ward.com/resources/
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