English Language Learners Make Schools Stronger

12/4/2020

Welcome to Module 2 - Building Background

(Logistics - Once you click on the video, you should see opposing arrows on the bottom right-hand side of the video. If you click those arrows, the video will enlarge to full screen, and you can stop, rewind, and fast forward as needed. If you do not see the arrows, stop the video, and then click on it again. You will definitely see the arrows in the lower right hand side.)

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VII

VIII.

IX.

Now that you have viewed the videos, and you have taken the time to critically assess your own practices, please share by clicking on Comments below how you will:

activate prior knowledge
leverage funds of knowledge
build background
elevate key academic vocabulary

Given that this is a learning community with your peers, I encourage you to comment on each other's posts with supportive feedback and recommendations.

Homework: Please read the two articles listed below. During our live session, we will be referring back to these readings while you are working collaboratively in groups during breakout sessions.

Why Teachers Should Help Students Learn Effective Study Strategies.pdf
File Size:	133 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Exploring Cultural Concepts: Funds of Knowledge.pdf
File Size:	988 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Resources

Anticipation Guide Template
File Size:	122 kb
File Type:	doc

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ELLs & Mathematics Excellent Resource!
File Size:	328 kb
File Type:	pdf

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In Their Own Words
File Size:	17 kb
File Type:	docx

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16 Comments

Chris Weninger

12/4/2020 12:00:45 pm

I really like the idea of the smaller assessments that allow students to recognize their own weaknesses, but i don't know if that works well in a middle school atmosphere because reflection is a pretty mature concept that I am not sure students would grasp until they are perhaps high school aged.

Hilary Arrabito

12/14/2020 01:25:19 pm

In this "virtual" world I would definitely say I agree with you but in an in-person (basic skills) section there would be time to nurture this.

Marty Martin

1/18/2021 08:13:23 am

I like smaller assessments and I give them often. I use Google Forms sometimes with just 5 to 10 questions. The students have to keep taking the assessment until they get 100%. That way, if they do not know the answers, they will learn it or figure it out. They are usually multiple choice and they follow whatever we learned the day before or what we are focusing on that week. Once they get the 100% I give them a grade for completing it. That way they are motivated to do it, but not discouraged by their grade.

Sometimes I just use Google Classroom and pose a short question as the Do Now or Exit Ticket. This is the same thing, we review something that I really want to make sure they understand.
It can be a True/False, Multiple Choice, or just a short response.

I also use Google Classroom Question to determine prior knowledge. (If we were in the classroom it might be something they would write on a post it note and hang on the wall, but virtually, this works too.)

Prince Varghese

12/4/2020 05:06:45 pm

- One way I will activate prior knowledge is by using narrative and skimming advance organizers in my lessons. I normally use KWL charts, concepts maps, and other forms of graphic organizers to activate my students' prior knowledge. The narrative and skimming organizers mentioned in video # 5 are great tools for students to familiarize themselves with new concepts, especially in this virtual learning environment. When showing a video clip in class, students can use the narrative organizer to effectively build background on a certain topic.

- In order to leverage funds of knowledge, I will connect the lessons/assignments to the students' personal lives. Depending on the lesson, I may ask students to interview their family members, bring in items related to their culture, write about their summer/thanksgiving etc. in order to foster this connection in my lessons. This can make it easier for students to remember the concepts that are taught in class.

James Marsich

12/11/2020 01:45:47 pm

Hi Prince, I like that idea of KWL charts when introducing a new topic. I think I could use something like that in my math class as a possible homework assignment so it does not take away from class time. Thanks for sharing your use of KWL charts.

Chris Saingas

12/9/2020 01:58:22 pm

I like the relearning strategies in the "Why Teachers Should Help Students Learn Effective Study Strategies" Article. In all of the retrieval and relearning strategies it’s
“important that the responses are eventually correct,”
Dunlosky said. “Students get a lot more bang for their
buck when they come up with the right answer,” (Schwartz). I believe this helps the student from not getting frustrated by not getting the right answer. This gives them opportunities to figure out the right one.

12/11/2020 01:43:17 pm

I feel that Activating Prior Knowledge or learning about prior knowledge is difficult for me as a teacher. I agree that it is important to know what the students know and don't know, but I feel the time it takes to try to do this takes away from teaching the curriculum that I am supposed to get through. I would take some advice on better ways to activate prior knowledge that is different from a "pre-test" and that is not very time consuming.

To leverage funds of knowledge I will continue to try to have ongoing conversations with my ELL students about their lives and their families to help them become more comfortable with me so then they can feel comfortable asking for help when learning new material being taught.

In regards to the students quotes from the last video, the one thing that stuck with me is about not marking them late because they are doing "double work" having to learn the english and at the same time learn the content. I completely agree with this and will make sure to implement this in my own practices.

12/11/2020 07:12:13 pm

Hi Jimmy,

I agree with you. Since there are only 30-35 minutes in a period, activating prior knowledge/building motivation can take a significant portion of the class time. Sometimes on Pear Deck, I post a Do Now question for my students in order to quickly assess their prior knowledge. This can help save time to teach the curriculum.

Jonathan Lee

12/14/2020 01:25:49 pm

I agree with both Jimmy and Prince.
I think it can be so difficult to activate prior knowledge because of the time constraint. And the same as Prince, I often do a quick Do Now Question to quickly assess their prior knowledge.

Bryan

12/11/2020 02:38:23 pm

One of the things I miss the most about in class instruction is giving students the opportunities to help other students.

Jennifer Fagan

12/11/2020 02:57:43 pm

Hi Bryan,

I also miss giving students opportunities to help other students, pair programming is vital in Computer Science and helps to reinforce concepts.

1/18/2021 08:18:09 am

Bryan and Jennifer - I miss this too. I like to have them move around the classroom, work in groups and pairs. I have been able to do a little of this remotely. I have a few students who are always ahead on their writing so I let them share their documents and leave notes for each other. I emailed them all before class and asked if they wanted to participate in this together. They said yes and I made sure to get feedback on how it went. They all said they would like to do that again. I am actually hoping to try this week. It is better than nothing. But I wish we could walk around the room and listen to their group work. It is great energy for the classroom. It makes it feel like a learning environment.

12/11/2020 02:54:55 pm

I will activate their prior knowledge by asking them about the games that are related to the coding concepts in Computer Science, see if they have ever heard of them, so I can better understand their prior knowledge.
I really liked the idea of the advanced graphic organizers, I am thinking of adding a graphic organizer of the key vocabulary terms in their native language and having them write down the definition to remember.
I will try to leverage their funds by seeing who has given directions in their life, to connect the commands in coding to instructing someone where to go.

Bonnie Corrado

12/14/2020 09:23:19 am

Much of what is suggested in Video #9 is what I do on a regular basis as a special ed teacher. I'm sure most other teachers do these as well: repeat what others say, write on board, use easier words, give more time to work, give more time to copy from board, etc.

12/14/2020 01:29:47 pm

Some times if I am doing a book study or a short story, I would have students fill out an anticipation guide that will refer to certain themes mentioned within the story. By doing this it activates prior knowledge. It is interesting to see because student's responses really show what students are exposed to and how their culture affects their viewpoint.

I also have students do a quick Do Now to assess their prior knowledge or at least to get them to start thinking about certain concepts. I think I can probably do a better job of explaining things.

I thought of this when I watched the last video, and heard some of the complaints/concerns that students had when in class. I think I often explain hard concepts with other hard concepts, so I need to make sure that I break it down in more simple terms for students to understand.

I hope to leverage student's fund of knowledge by continuing to talk with students about their culture and their family life.

1/18/2021 09:16:55 am

It is good to hear what the students are thinking, "In Their Own Words". I especially like the idea of giving them "Think Time". This applies to more than just our ELL students. Some students just need quiet to process and get started. Other students can manage with noise in the background. I have to remind myself of this sometimes because even I keep giving instructions and talking and do not always give them "Think Time". I have to think of a strategy for this.

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