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1. Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap with English Language Learner Refugees http://www.luc.edu/education/images/hands.gif

2. All documents referenced in this presentation can be downloaded by searching for… East Lansing High School (ELHS)Then following these links… Teacher pages ESL Click here Documents & Publications Achievement Gap folder

3. Building Relationships: The First Key to Closing the Achievement Gap http://fhwisdomkeepers.org/img/ClipArt/peace.gif

4. Tools for Getting to Know Students & Their Families: • Design activities throughout the school year to ensure students and families know that their teacher is interested in and respects who they are, where they come from and what they value. http://www.pppst.com/banner_multicultural.gif

5. Getting to Know the Families: • What are the family’s expectations for the • student? • Is there a quiet place for the student to • study? • Is there a computer in the home? • Does the family have high academic • expectations for the student? • Does the family have transportation? • Do the parents / guardians speak English?

6. Building Relationships: • Reaching out to Families • Attend community • cultural celebrations. • Home visits • Learn a few greetings. • Read about what is • acceptable as well as • taboo in a family’s culture. http://www.mnsu.edu/news/articles/images/external/freepress/intlfest2.jp http://mathdb.blogsome.com/images/how_to_say.jpg

7. Providing Families with • Useful Information • FamilyUserGuide • Family tours of local public library • Bus route maps • Sources for free and reduced food / clothing / • furniture / supplies • Seeing Families as • Valuable Resources • Parent Advisory Group • Classroom volunteers • Sharers of Culture

8. Getting to Know Students Personally The first and most important strategy for maximizing student performance lies in establishing a trusting teacher-student relationship.

9. Where We Are From Map Student photos, names, countries, and flags surround the world map.

10. Autobiography Wall Each student creates an autobiography and a coat of arms for our back wall.

11. Other Tools for Getting to Know Students • Journals • Questionnaires • Interviews • Games • Celebrations • Students’ extracurricular events • Students presentations of their • language and culture

12. Getting to Know Students Academically http://www.rif.org/assets/Images/LeadingtoReading/multicultural-landing-page/multicultural_header.jpg Teachers of ELLs Must Know the Following: • What level of English proficiency does this student possess? • “Phases of Language Acquisition” • “BICS & CALP” • What is the educational background of the student? Does the student come to the classroom with significant gaps in background information needed for success in the class? • What strengths does this student possess? What enriching experiences can this student share with the class?

13. Creating a Culture for Success: The Second Key to Closing the Achievement Gap http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/defining-it-project-success.jpg

14. Setting Goals and High Expectations • Students set their own goals in writing in contract format. • Teacher expects students to make • the honor roll and closely monitors their • grades throughout the year. • Recognition of students who maintain high grades is key to establishing a culture for learning.

16. Setting Goals and High Expectations

17. Teaching the Habits of • Successful Students • Instruct students in how to utilize daily planner to keep track of assignments, projects, and tests. • Daily planner checks reinforce daily use of planner in all classes. • Provide tools such as folders and binders, and teach students how to use them.

18. Displaying the Master Planner

19. Maximizing Student Achievement • with Clear Procedures and Routines • Where is the homework always posted? • Where do students turn in their homework? • How should a student who misses a class make up • missed work?

20. Sample Day’s Agenda

21. Clear Procedure for Turning in Homework

22. Improving Student Achievement by Maximizing Time on Task at School • After-school Academic Center • Academic support in ESL class.

23. After-school Academic Center meets three days a week and is staffed by teachers and parent volunteers. Students who are missing any assignments are expected to attend.

24. Half of an ELL’s time in ESL class is spent on academic support. Students learn English while working on core subjects.

25. Making Content Comprehensible: The Final Key to Closing the Achievement Gap

26. SIOP: Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocols • Research-based model • Make content comprehensible while • developing academic language. • Effective in closing the achievement gaps of • all learners, not just ELLs • Provides framework for differentiation to • ensure student learning and realistic • assessment • Measures effectiveness of lessons taught • along specified measurable criteria • Students learn respectfully.

27. SIOP Model: 8 Key Components • Lesson Preparation • Building Background • Comprehensible Input • Strategies • Interaction • Practice and Application • Lesson Delivery • Review and Assessment Self Assessment

28. The Three Keys to Unlocking the Potential of Each ELL Refugee Relationships Culture of Success Comprehensible Instruction