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Using Thinking Maps to Support Learning for ELLs. GHS Faculty Meeting November 4, 2009. GHS ESL Program Goals. Provide focused instruction in English according to the Tennessee State Standards for ESL. Provide support for learning in other subject areas.
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Using Thinking Maps to Support Learning for ELLs GHS Faculty Meeting November 4, 2009
GHS ESL Program Goals • Provide focused instruction in English according to the Tennessee State Standards for ESL. • Provide support for learning in other subject areas. • Communication with classroom teachers. • Emails, Progress Reports, Conferences. • Help students to fill in gaps in background knowledge. • Help teachers to provide students with necessary modifications for success. • Read tests aloud. • Simplify test language.
Tips for Working with ELLs • Focus on main ideas • Use lots of visuals • Pictures • Thinking Maps • Colors to organize notes • Provide word banks / word choices • Don’t assume… • ELLs might not ask questions if they don’t understand • ELLs might not have the same background knowledge as other students • Re-explain using simple English or synonyms
Modifications • Presentation of Content • Simplify language • Use visuals: pictures, Thinking Maps • Pre-teach vocabulary • Demonstrate concepts • Testing • Shorten tests to focus on main ideas • Simplify test language • Read test aloud • Assign alternate assessment (project instead of test) • Grading • Assign grades based on improvement
What do ELLs need to learn? • Social English (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) • Daily interactions • Academic English (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) • More abstract, precise, higher-order thinking skills • Necessary to express the content knowledge they alreadyhave&to process new content • Content • Culture
Motivation • “I don’t understand.” • Lack language, content area or cultural knowledge. • “I don’t want to be here.” • Did not choose to come here, left friends and family behind, don’t fit in. • Graduation from GHS does not necessarily open doors to further opportunities.
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