Supporting English Learners in the Primary Classroom

From https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2013/07/10/supporting-english-learners-in-the-primary-classroom

Jane Fung, a National Board Certified Teacher in urban Los Angeles, writes

“Common Core Standards ask students to construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others in math; ask and answer questions about key details in a text; and participate in collaborative conversations about topics and texts. Students are expected to explain their thinking and build on others’ talk in conversation.

“But what if your students don’t speak English?

“When teachers shift into Common Core Standards mode this fall, we must remember that although the standards are common, the students we teach are not.

“As a former English learner (EL) and a teacher of ELs, I know the challenges our EL students face. And the stakes are higher today then they have ever been. How do we ensure that our EL students not only gain access to the core curriculum but also succeed in meeting standards like their native-speaker counterparts?

“Many teachers working with ELs have experienced little or no preparation or professional development for this challenging task. Here’s a quick guide to classroom elements that matter in supporting EL achievement.”

Read on at https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2013/07/10/supporting-english-learners-in-the-primary-classroom