Celebrating Cultures in the classroom Why is this important?

1. Celebrating Cultures in the classroomWhy is this important? • Working with English Language Learners is a challenge and a privilege. Students bring a rich background of world views and cultural experiences to our classrooms. We can glimpse different ways of life from these students and their families. Through them, we can travel the world and learn about other cultures. By living and working with them, we renew our understanding of ourselves. Our capacity for compassion, kindness, and empathy cuts across cultural barriers. • From Adding English by Katherine Maitland

2. Introductions • Inna Tsimerman…………Hanna Woods K-2 • Barbara Corrigan………Green Trails K-2 • Sasha Walchli……………..Green Trails 3-5 • Tell us about your experiences with ELLs and why you are here..

3. VideoSchool in my country • Anything surprising? • More things to consider… • In some cultures… • education is for boys only and mixing boys and girls in the classroom can be uncomfortable for many students. • pushing and physical behaviors are more tolerated on the playground. • parents believe that education is the business of the teacher and the student. • the family needs come before the need to attend school. • the teacher/student relationship is more authoritative, formal, and stric.t, Corporal punishment is accepted. • learning by rote, standing to recite, being punished for making mistakes is common. Having no class discussions and not questioning teachers is the norm. • praying is a part of the school day.

4. Connect the old to the new • Learning is optimized when students are able to connect new information to students’ personal, cultural, linguistic, social, and academic backgrounds (Echevarria, Vogt, & Short, 2008). • Link new information to prior knowledge. ..Teachers need to consider what schema ELL students brings to the classroom and to link instruction to the students’ personal, cultural, and world experiences. Teachers also need to know what their students do not know. They must understand how culture impacts learning in their classroom. • by Judie Haynes • Learn 7 key strategies classroom teachers must know to provide an effective learning environment for ELLs. • PowerPoint from a 2ndgrade Social Studies Unit • 5th grade Persuasive Essay suggestions

5. Exploring Culture Grams • How to find Culture Grams • Go to… • Home school Ed-line • Classrooms • Library • Database • Share something that you didn’t know. • How can you use this in your curriculum?

6. Cultural Situations • Activity….Culture Quiz • For this and other cultural resources go to… • www.everythingesl.net • ESL Teachers as Cultural Broker

7. Things to be aware of and respond to in a culturally Responsive way • Names… learn them and pronounce them correctly. Often, this takes time and a lot of practice! Ask frequently if you are saying it correctly. • Asian names are given in reverse order, • two part first names are common, • Hispanic last names are two-part – father’s last name then mother’s last name…no hyphen. • Math • periods for commas • the number 7 • number 1 • number 9 • the way a division problem is written • Print/cursive

8. things to doFoster an atmosphere of inclusion • “Welcome to Green Trails” Video • In the classroom • Label significant areas and objects in the classroom • Introduce a language heritage proverb in a student’s native language with English translation • Learn a few greetings in your students’ languages (Try to do this before “Meet the Teacher” or the first day of school…Hello, Thank you) Include these words on your weekly newsletters. • Allow ELLs to share a cultural talent (origami, string games, clapping games) • Allow Ells to write a phrase or greeting in their language and have students copy it and learn to say it. • Request the help of the native speakers (student’s parents, other students, bi-lingual staff members) to help explain a difficult concept in the student’s native language • Assign a classroom buddy • Have a geography lesson. Locate and discuss the various countries represented in your classroom. Use the terms “native or birth countries (for those born outside the US and “special” country (for those born within the US). • Occasionally ask the question “How do you say …………………. In your language?”

9. Foster an Atmosphere of inclusion • In the building • Cultural displays • Display off lags • Taste of Hanna • Family and Friends Fall Picnic (Creve Coeur Park) • Diversity Assemblies (month of January…Diversity Awareness Month) • Passport Night

10. Resources • Google translates ….Caution….Beware of all translation services! Check with a native speaker, if possible. • Google Images • Discovery Ed Atlas • www.Colorincolorado.org • www.everythingesl.net • www.fcrr.org

11. And Finally… • Helping English Language Learners succeed in school is our challenge. We can help students cross cultures by connecting home life with school. We can create an environment that not just accepts but promotes and celebrates students’ primary languages and cultures. We can help them acquire English by ensuring that they have lots of comprehensible input and by providing opportunities for them to interact and make connections in meaningful ways. • Questions? • How can we help you? • The most important thing that you can do is talk to your ELLs everyday, smile, make them feel included, and that their language and culture are valued. • Look at everything you do with new eyes.