How best to support
diverse learners in the
classroom.
In the Classroom
Instructional Practices
Monitoring even after exiting
monitoring students’ primary language during early school experiences (Jackson, Schatschneider, & Leacox, 2014
What it looks like
Comprehension Strategies
Books in native language
Translation
But does translation help with reading comprehension
Helps foster family relationships
Level Questions
Questions posed after Identifying a students English abilities
Visuals
Word walls
Using big book read alouds
Document Camera, interactive white board
Question not all schools can afford these things or teachers have the training
Modeled Talk
Realia, using objects
Giving Directions
Using props, cards, charts
Full Integration
Centers
Communication with Peers
Manipulatives
Helps with connections
Role play with non ELL students
Helps with Vocabulary
Use of Technology
Interaction with English and other students
Bias
Teacher low expectations of ELL =low performance
only looked at a small group , one community
Cultural Difference and interaction
Research
Unconscious bias
Questions teachers fill out on EL students The questions imply that they are EL students.
Assessments
Making sure students are tested correctly and put in ELL
Not all states are equal with giving the same guidelines
Some schools given up to 30 days
Teacher Instruction
Classroom Teachers
First one to ID a student who may need help
Schools that focus on diverse learners
Training for general classroom teachers
Teachers work together to help these students
Empower teachers, change lessons plans
Lack training/knowledge
Why don't schools make it mandatory for teachers to have training?
Teacher Certification in ELL
Students do better if they have a teacher who can instruct them with the knowledge necessary
López, Scanlan, and Gundrum (2013)
Student did better in states that had
stricter certification standards.
Subtopic
Culturally Responsive
Students connect to what they are learning
Motivates students because they see part of themselves included.
Teachers need to have an understanding and respect of cultures.
Before school (Early Years)
Bilingual is a strength
Special needs or delays
Not able to gain adult words
Children from these homes more delays
Economic and social status
Million word gap
After 26 months maybe caught up
Interaction between parents and child