Spark Creativity with These ELL Resources |
Check out these resources to help your teachers create meaningful classroom instruction for English language learners. |
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Friday, October 15, 2021
ASCD Magazine - Some ELL Resources for You
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Diversity: The Fundamental Principles
The aspect which really intrigued me the most were the fundamental principles of diversity, equity and inclusivity. As a new immigrant, I was a little skeptical whether my kids will be able to adjust to the cultural difference of Canadian society, or whether they will be discriminated against based on their race and cultural background.
But I was really at ease when I met the principal and she talked about these principles which are like pillars to the Canadian Education system. These principles not only focus of fair treatment of the students, but also help in pin-pointing and eliminating classroom discrimination and create a more welcoming environment for all the students from different cultures, ethnicity and backgrounds.
Policies related to these principles encourage cohesive culture of knowledge sharing and allow students to feel connected and explore their creativity for their holistic development.
Vishnu@NU
Why Use Reciprocal Teaching?
Reciprocal Teaching involves an instructional activity where students teach each other in small group reading sessions. First, teachers model and then allow students to use the four strategies when learning: summarizing, question generating, clarifying, and predicting. Once students have learned the strategies, they take turns assuming the role of the teacher in leading a dialogue about what has been read.
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Reciprocal Teaching is important in helping students understand concepts and information in an effective way. This teaching strategy can be used individually, with peers, or with the whole class. It encourages students to think about their own thought process during reading. It also helps students learn to be actively involved and monitor their comprehension as they read. This strategy is important because it allows students to ask questions during reading, which makes the text more understandable.
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I believe this strategy is beneficial to students who are slow learners because it allows for a careful and systematic way of learning. Through step by step analysis of the reading, students will have a better grasp of the information read. Allowing students to predict, clarify, question, and summarize the text, aids in the process of critical thinking and discussion.
Reference
Reading Rockets. (2020, January 3). Reciprocal teaching | Classroom strategy | Reading rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/reciprocal_teaching
Stephanie@NU
Reflection is Important - Here's An Article That Stood Out for Me
For this post, I decided to reflect on an article that I read in my undergrad that really stood out to me and stuck with me for all these years. I feel that the components of this article are beyond beneficial for any educator working with students with exceptionalities and I think it is so important for educators to reflect and apply what they've taken away from it into their field.
"To be an effective teacher, remember that regardless of individual needs, children are first and foremost children—and best practices for young children are best practices for all young children" (Brillante, 2017, para 3). There are many ways early childhood educators can help make the classroom more inclusive for children with disabilities. When working with children with diverse needs in the classroom, early childhood educators take on a role of ensuring the child feels just as a part of the classroom as any other child in the room. According to the article Every child belongs: Welcoming a child with a disability by Pamela Brilllante, it is important to establish a program that is developmentally appropriate and will suit the needs of all children, regardless of their differences by making small accommodations and modifications where a child may need more support.
She goes on to discuss that getting to know the child as a person as opposed to treating them according to their disability or label is key. A way of building that bond with a child is by talking and playing with them as well as determining their interests through observations in the classroom (2017). Making simple changes in the classroom is another practice that can be done by educators according to Brillante. Changes such as modifying the classroom, routines and activities in a way that is equally accommodating for all children (2017). There are different areas in the classroom that can use modifications to help children with disabilities complete tasks easier. Making changes to materials for example is a major one. Small things such as adding pencil grips to writing utensils and gluing wooden knobs on puzzle pieces go a long way for children who may have difficulties. Educators can even go as far as moving classroom furniture around to make it more accessible for children with physical disabilities for example (2017).
Loud noises, on the other hand, can easily become a classroom distraction for children and can in turn affect their learning abilities. There are in fact "sound absorbing" materials that can limit or decrease the amount of noise that enters a classroom such as carpets to reduce the sounds of footsteps, and chairs with tennis balls attached to the legs to reduce sounds of a dragging chair. Drapes also help with limiting the sound of outside traffic, shutting the classroom doors help with any hallway distractions and perhaps having a silent fan would keep the children more focused on what the teacher is saying.
I believe that this article really opens the eyes of educators as it did for me, in regards to realizing that even though all children are unique in their own ways as they learn in different strategies, and at different paces, at the end of the day, they are all children. Each child, regardless of their developmental background, is capable of learning. They are capable of completing any task they put their mind to and can reach their full learning potential just like anyone else. But it starts with the educator. It is important for educators to first become aware of said difficulties, learn new teaching strategies and also to learn how to establish an inclusive learning environment to help increase the confidence of the child. With this, comes learning different ways to modify lessons and activities and like the article said, eliminate biases and labelling of children. I hope this post becomes useful to the readers and is applied in practice as it can do wonders in the advancement of a child's learning.
Teresa@NU
Education.com - Fractions Practice
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THE FOUR C's to Succeed in School & the Workplace
These four C's are essential skills for modern students to both succeed in school and the workplace. The four C's are Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. Combined, students are empowered to become one person think tanks for life.
Creativity is often thought of as "thinking outside the box". This skill should not be treated as "you have it or you don't" because students can learn creative strategies to support their learning and thinking. Creativity should not be connected to only artistry. Students should realize their thinking processes or their approach is creative specific to them. Creativity is essential for students to embrace their strengths and be motivated to communicate their thoughts with others.
Collaboration is essential for student learning. Students should understand the importance of working with others and the fact that they will be working with people all their life so they should learn how to work together effectively. Practicing collaboration and teamwork benefits the classroom environment but also helps students learn through others different approaches, perspective, and learning styles.
Communication skills are essential for students to learn. When positive communication is exchanged with themselves, teachers, peers, and parents, the needs and strengths of students could be known. Communication is key to learning. Students need to ask questions to excel, and work with each other to build knowledge and social skills.
By: SILVIA @NU
Citation:
Stauffer, B. (2020, May 7). What Are the 4 C's of 21st Century Skills? Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/four-cs-21st-century-skills
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Mental Health in the Classroom
As teachers, it is our job to ensure that our students receive the proper education in order to set them up to succeed as best we can. Each year brings in new students, with their own unique traits and abilities. As a teacher, we must be able to adapt to these students and do our best to cater to there needs. One aspect of those needs is the mental health of these students.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought a completely new way of life for everybody. This is reflected in the classroom by instituting the "virtual learning" method of teaching. While this is a relatively new strategy, there are many experiences that the children will miss out on by learning from home, and not in class. For example, there have been countless studies conducted saying that staring at a computer screen for 9 hours a day has long lasting effects on adults. Businesses have started to allow for employees to get up and take a stretch and/or walk around every hour to combat these issues. Having students glued to their computer screens will force them to endure these long-lasting effects as well.
Another thing students will miss out on is being able to interact with their classmates in a face-to-face situation. As a child growing up, my favorite part of going to school was seeing my friends, having fun at recess, working in groups on projects etc. Students make some of their closest friends while in school. Especially when they are at a young age, it is crucial not only for their enjoyment of school, but also for their social development. Having these social skills being developed at a young age is crucial for a child to behave accordingly in society.
These two issues could ultimately lead to children having mental health issues. For many of these students, they interact with their teachers more than anybody else in their lives. If you are an elementary teacher, you teach your students almost all their classes every day. It is important to allow for communication from teachers to their students and express that they care about their student's well-being. When you are dealing with young students, they may be going through something mentally and not even know it. They may be subject to this but are not developed enough to break down the issue and figure it out themselves.
As teachers, we are charged with the duty of delivering education to our students. With this Covid-19 pandemic, everything about the way teaching is thought of changed. Incorporating virtual learning is a massive transformation in the way that students are being taught. As education has changed, so have the roles of teachers. Teachers owe it to their students to always feel comfortable, encouraged and to create a wholesome atmosphere in the classroom. Being there for your students whenever they need you, whether it be as an ear to talk to or a voice to listen to, ensuring your students mental health gets as much focus as the education being taught.
Courtesy of: Spencer@NU
How Much Technology is Too Much?
From when I was growing up as a student the only forms of technology I was able to use during school was the computer in the library, or when the teacher had found an educational video for the class in watch. By stepping into the classroom today as an EA, I am shocked to see how important technology is to the student's everyday lives. Whether I am walking in the hallways in Secondary School or acting as a supervisor on the playground for yard duty in Elementary School. Technology seems to be a lot more important than in did 15 years ago when I was in school. With having students either quickly checking their phone or finding the excuse to need to use it. Technology is everywhere.
To go to my point, how much technology is too much? For roughly 8 years (2008-2016) multi-tasking was promoted to be a lot more beneficial than single tasking. Unfortunately, until recently, this theory was proven to be wrong. As single tasking in fact was scientifically proven to be a lot more beneficial. To have this understanding and to see how much multi-tasking is being utilized by students through technology, it doesn't make sense to me. Multi-tasking seems to be so ingrained into today's society (especially the youth) and I believe this will pose great problems on their cognitive development as they get older.
I can see and understand the benefits of using technology to enhance learning, but personally when we are having the younger students trained to be so reliant on technology so early on, this seems problematic. In most cases from my supply experience, it seems that technology is having the opposite effect. Cell phones when I was in school were always seen as a distraction, but now it is seen to be as a way to enhance a student's learning. I am interested to see how technology continues to shape society or if eventually it will be realized that the technological route for academics was not the way to go.
Brought to you by: Elijah@NU
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Mindfulness and Inclusivity as Teachers
As future educators, it is important that we are inclusive and mindful of what we say. At times, we may not think that what we say could be harmful. However, students often remember! They may not remember the lesson we teach them years later, but they will remember the way we spoke to them, what we said, and how it made them feel. Therefore, we must choose our words carefully and continuously uplift the students we teach. By being positive and making a student feel included in the classroom, this sense of belonging and acceptance without fear of judgement will improve their learning. They will love to go to school!
Personal examples:
I remember as a child I had this grade 1 teacher who I constantly felt nervous or scared around. The classroom was alienating at a glance, with rows of desks placed one by one. My mom told me that on my first day of grade 1 upon seeing the classroom I jumped into my dad's arms and begged to go home. My teacher was strict, and I felt like I couldn't ask her any questions without her getting upset with me. My grades suffered that year, especially in reading. Needless to say the next year I moved schools, and my reading improved drastically when taken under the wing if a different and more understanding teacher.
Recently I have also begun to volunteer at a church near my house teaching catechism classes every other week. Many of the children are part of single parent families, or live with another family member. Therefore, I try to use phrases such as "family" instead of "mom and dad" when I refer to their home life. Though students may not voice their discomfort, it is important that we be inclusive and recognize the diversity present in our classrooms.
Courtesy of Julia D. @ NU
Technology In Teaching
In todays world, humans and technology continue to develop and advance every day. We as teachers have a role to ensure that each student gains the best education possible. As mentioned before, humans rely on technology more than ever before as it makes our lives easier. Within the classroom technology can and should be used as an asset in teaching. Some benefits of technology within the classroom are:
- Creates a more fun and engaging lesson plan
- Incorporates different learning styles
- Improves collaboration
- Prepares children for the future
- Connects you with you students
- Technology will be more cost effective in the long run compared to traditional supplies
- Improves technology literacy skills
I believe that technology enhances a students overall learning experience as youngers students are more engaged as teachers can create/find many alternatives online to teaching a specific lesson plan. It is reported that 84% of teachers using the internet at least once weekly to find content for a lesson plan have shown increased levels of engagement within their lesson. Overall, like anything in this world, too much of one thing is never good, however implementing some aspects of technology within your lesson plan can alter a students perceptive of school by making it a more fun and engaging learning environment.
Courtesy of Michael C @NU
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