English Language Learners Curation Project

For my Teaching in the Ontario Context class, or my practicum course, I was asked to curate a number of different resources related to a topic of inquiry. The topic I chose that I want to know more about is teaching English Language Learners. On this page, you will find different resources that I have searched for. You will also find a short description about each as well as a detailed reflection about each resource.


Resource One: 9 Tips to Support English Language Learners

The first resource I found is a tip sheet for teachers on how to make English Language Learners feel more welcome in their classrooms. These are tips for teachers to help students feel welcome, and to make it easier for them to follow along in the class. Very few of these tips require resources, just actions on the part of the teacher. This resource comes from edutopia.org, which is a trusted website amongst educators. It is well researched and well written. The tips it shares are valuable and can be used in many different situations. This resource is one that will be valuable in my teaching practice. As I am completing my first practicum experience, I am in a classroom where a majority of the students are English Language Learners. Also, as I continue to work towards teaching in Ontario, this is something that I am going to encounter throughout the rest of my teaching career. Resources like this are often made by teachers with experience. The fact that this is found on a teacher trusted website makes it more valuable to me and my teaching practice. The tips that this resource provides will help me to be a better teacher. This resource will make learning more comfortable for all students. By following some of the suggestions that this resource provides, teachers will be providing a Universal Design for Learning in their classroom. Students who are not English Language Learners and students who are will benefit from this being implemented in a classroom. I personally believe that this resource will be beneficial in a classroom and will be something that I use on a regular basis. I do have to be careful however that I will not be disrespectful and will not use these tips to make any students stand out. This resource can be found at www.edutopia.org

Resource Two: Supporting English Language Learners

The second resource found during this curation project is entitled Supporting English Language Learners: A Practical Guide for Ontario Educators and was published by the Ontario Ministry of Education. This is a guide that was written to help Ontario teachers when working with students who are English Language Learners focusing on adapting instruction and understanding students. It is a practical guide that all teachers should be using. It explains both theory and tools that can be implemented in a classroom setting. It is a well written document with a variety of different strategies and applications. Seeing as it is a ministry document, it is likely that it will be updated every few years. This is a document that is going to help me in my teaching practice. Many classrooms now have students that are English Language Learners, and this is especially true in certain areas of Ontario. Using this guide will not only help me as a teacher with differentiating instruction, but it will also help me to know what the ministry's standards are when it comes to teaching students who are English Language Learners. This is a document that is written by the government and is designed to keep the classroom environment equitable for all students. The authors have gone through and looked at different ethical implications and consequences. However, this does not mean that there will not be any as we try to enact these tools in our classroom. When using this tool, it is important to question how individual students are being affected and that all students are receiving the benefits. I believe that this is an excellent tool, and will be used repeatedly in my teaching practice. A PDF copy of this document can be found at www.edu.gov.on.ca

Resource Three: Activities for English Language Learners Across the Curriculum

The third resource that I found is a book written by Stephen A. White entitled Activities for English Language Learners Across the Curriculum: Grades K-5. This is a book that provides different activities to implement in the classroom that will benefit English Language Learners. This book has lesson planning ideas as well Blackline Masters. Along with these ideas, this book provides some background into the theory and research regarding English Language Learners. This book discusses the proficiency levels of English Language Learners. It also discusses Blooms Taxonomy and differentiation based on the different levels. Each lesson plan throughout the book discusses ways of differentiation for different proficiency levels. This is a resource that will be beneficial to my teaching practice. Not only is there a wide variety of lesson plan ideas, but there is so much information on on differentiation and proficiency levels. This resource does an excellent job of mixing theory and practice. This is something that will make me a better teacher and will be used all throughout my teaching career. This book provides a good look into the theory behind teaching English Language Learners. The author uses this book to ensure that all students in the class are receiving the tools they need to succeed. This book works to promote equity in the classroom. This is something that will help me to make sure that I am differentiating appropriately and students are receiving the instruction they need. A preview of this book can be found at books.google.ca  and can be purchased at www.amazon.ca

Resource Four: Fifty Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners

The fourth resource in my curation project is a book written by  Adrienne L. Herrell and Michael L. Jordan which was titled 50 Strategies for teaching English Language Learners. This is a book that focuses on the different strategies that teachers can use when they are teaching strategies . This book discusses each strategy in great detail providing ways it can be implemented, and why it has been found to work in a classroom setting. This is a resource that will be beneficial to my teaching practice. The strategies in this book are ones that I will use in my classroom on more than one occasion. This is something that I will use all throughout my teaching career and my teaching may be improved because of it. This book provides insight to the different strategies that can be used in classrooms and why they may work. The author ensures that the teacher is knowledgable of different teaching strategies so they are able to teach all students in a universal design for learning model and all students will receive the resources they need. Equity is promoted through the use of this book. It will help me to see what I am doing in my teaching practice, and will help me to ensure that I am being equitable and respectful. This book can be purchased from www.amazon.ca

I found so many resources during this curation assignment. However, these were the four that I found most valuable to my teaching career. You can also find more resources that I have found on my Pinterest Page www.pinterest.com

Elizabeth!