Young Children’s Approaches to Books: The Emergence of Comprehension

Sentence frames videos

Guided Math video on how to organize your math workshop centers

Guided Math Workshop organization ideas video!

Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class

      Here are some great resources for math classes!
 
     Addressing the reality that English Language Learners (ELLs) need additional support in classes where math instruction is in English, this lesson-based series gives teachers the essential tools for meeting math content goals and language development goals simultaneously. With a deep appreciation for the unique linguistic experiences and diverse cultural traditions that ELLs bring to a classroom, each model lesson takes teachers step-by-step through ways to actively involve ELLs in learning math. Teachers will get a wealth of strategies and activities for modifying their instruction to improve the success of ELLs, suggestions for determining the linguistic demands of math lessons, answers to frequently asked questions including multi-language and multi-level situations, and instant-use reproducibles. Contents cover geometry, number sense, data analysis, algebra, and word problems.

Books available on Amazon.com

Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class, Grades K-2 by Rusty Bresser, Kathy Melanese and Christine Sphar (Jul 18, 2008)

Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class, Grades 3-5 by Rusty Bresser, Kathy Melanese and Christine Sphar (Jul 18, 2008)

Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class, Grades 6-8 by Kathy Melanese, Luz Chung and Cheryl Forbes (Apr 15, 2011)

Sentence Frames and English Language Learners

      Students often struggle finding just the right words to explain, describe, and clarify what they are thinking. One way to help students, and further engage English language learners in class discussions, is to provide them sentence frames. Sentence frames work as language models, providing students language structure, lowering their affective filter and consequently increasing student participation and interaction in class! Sentences frames can be used with really young learners as well. You just have to make it simpler and accessible!

 

Making Inferences

·         Using clues to figure out what is really happening in the story. ·         Reading “between the lines.”

1.________are / are not ________.

2.       ________ are / are not ________ because ________.

3.       Based on ________, I infer that ________.

4.       Based on _____, I infer that _____, because _____.

Making Predictions

·         Guessing what will happen next based on information or illustrations in the story.

1…Because the character ____, I predict s/he will _____. Because the main character ran away from home, I predict that he will…

2…At first I thought ______, but now I believe _______.

3…I think ___ will _____ because ______ usually ____.

4…Since ________, I can assume that ___ will _____. Since it’s been raining all week, I can assume that the game will be cancelled.

Compare and Contrast

Compare = same

Contrast = different

1….__________ and _____________ are ___________.

2… Both _____ and _______ have _____________.

3….___and ___ are both similar because they both _____.

4….There are several major differences between ___ and ___.       The most notable is ____________.

Summarizing

1…._____ is ______.

2…____ is _____, and the result is _____.

3….In summary, __________

4….The story is about ______.  In addition, _____.      Consequently, __________.

Collaborative Discussions

1.    I think we should_______.

2.    I think that__ would be a good symbol because       it represents__.

3.    Where should we put the ________?

4.     I like your idea about ________.

Making Judgments

1.        I think _______ is ______ because ______.

2.        I think ___ did the ______ thing because_____.

3.        I think ___ did the _____  thing but_____.

4.        I think_____ did the _________ thing,       but ______  should have __________.

Bilingual Education Group on Facebook

Join our Bilingual Education Group on Facebook. As part of the group, you can share and find resources, and ask questions about teaching and learning!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/459661590720444/