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Let’s face it. Students who are learning English as a second language are facing an uphill battle. I mean “i before e, except after c alone is a struggle!” They need some extra support to succeed. This may mean different things depending on the level of the child. And it doesn’t matter if the other kids think a modification isn’t fair. Trust me some of them will whine. Here is an opportunity to build some compassion and empathy with a teachable moment pep talk for the rest of the class. Or maybe it needs to be what we call in the south a “Come to Jesus” talk.
Even if you think a student may not understand an assignment at all, give them a copy of the paper so they don’t feel excluded. And then go back privately and give them an alternate option to go with it. #babytheyreworthit
Ok, I know you are thinking well I could just put a peer in charge of helping this student. Well that’s ok as an occasional help or for translating. But what I found was that the peer sometimes got resentful or their own work was suffering. It is the teacher’s responsibility to help the student. Different states have different policies and procedures but in my county in Georgia, students were required to have an ELPP (English Learner Proficiency Plan). Stay informed about procedures and legislation in your local area. Don’t wait to be told by ESOL program staff members, etc.
Modification plans aren’t just busy work. That should be a living, breathing document that you adhere to and utilize. Can you tell I’m rather passionate about my ELL babies?? Don’t phone it in. The following section lists some suggestions for possible modifications.
Examples of Modifications for Daily Instruction and Activities:
- give them a copy of PowerPoint slides
- posting answer keys, PowerPoint presentations, extra links on my online course page/Google Classroom
- answer keys to keep
- answer keys to copy from
- scaffolded notes (some of the content filled in)
- word banks
- writing page numbers where they could find an answer if it went along with a book/textbook
- highlighting sections of a reading passage to show where the answer was
- labeling the section where an answer could be found with the question number
Possible Modifications for Assessments:
- Fewer questions
- Alternative option like a skills assessment that can be photographed
- Answer questions orally
- Use native language
- Limit multiple choice to 2
- True/False or Yes/No
- Sentence Frames
- Word Banks
- Use book/study guide
Check out the rest of the blog series here:
- Introduction: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/introduction-to-meeting-the-needs-of-english-language-learners-during-social-studies/
- Setting Up Your Space: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/setting-up-your-social-studies-space-with-english-language-learners-in-mind/
- Posting Learning Objectives: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/posting-learning-objectives-with-english-language-learners-in-mind/
- Meeting the Needs of Beginning Language Learners: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/meeting-the-needs-of-beginning-language-learners-in-social-studies/
- Building Listening, Speaking, and Vocabulary Skills in S.S.: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/building-listening-speaking-and-vocabulary-skills-in-social-studies/
- Non-Verbal Cues: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/supporting-english-language-learners-in-social-studies-with-non-verbal-cues/
- Learning Stations: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/using-learning-stations-in-social-studies/
- Incorporating the Arts: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/the-importance-of-incorporating-the-arts-into-social-studies/
- Picture Dictionaries: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/how-to-make-picture-dictionaries-to-support-your-english-language-learners/
- Being Prepared Ahead of Time/Resource Database: https://www.thesocialstudieswhisperer.com/2019/07/how-to-be-prepared-ahead-of-time-to-meet-the-needs-of-english-language-learners-in-social-studies/
The ideas in this blog series are the framework for my e-book! Check it out by clicking the picture!
