The end of July...but not of summer

Say it ain't so!! Is it just about August already? D'oh

Well, it's summer all the way until the kids come back (and then some) so let's enjoy all that summer is. I for one will be taking a ferry ride across the San Francisco Bay. It always astounds me that 10 months of wearing down the same beaten path- concrete freeways, drab district office buildings, meetings and zipping from one school site to another- prevents me from appreciating what a beautiful part of the world I live in.

So let's take a bit of what is left over of the year to admire our surroundings- especially those of us lucky enough to live here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Maybe I'll actually see the Golden Gate Bridge for once if the ferry gets close enough!

We'll pick up the ELL talk next month.

- W

Preparing for our ELLs in the fall

Yeah, yeah, the start of the school year seems to be that storm cloud on the horizon, barely perceptible now, but time has a way of creeping up, broaching distance and sooner or later, the sun will drape itself with darker garments. So don't be unprepared!

Tips for a More Focused 2010 School Year

1. Get plenty of rest!

2. Take (at least) a moment to reflect upon your instruction and student learning from the past school year. I know, it's in the past now, it's summer, soon enough I'll get to do it all over again, yadda yadda yadda... Nonetheless, think about areas that were strengths, that you (Should) feel proud about, it could be around ELLs. But also think aboutareas in your instruction that you felt could use some bolstering (As measured by whether or not your students were able to take away a particular concept). A reflective teacher is open to change and change leads to growth, which will lead to improved student learning!

And as the school year approaches...

3. Re(Familiarize) yourself with your districts procedures for identifying, placing and following up on ELL students. Questions to ask yourself, colleagues or admin can include:
- Does our district have a Master Plan specifically outlining what programs & services ELLs
should be receiving?
- How are ELL students identified?
- What is the procedure for identifying ELL students? Incoming kindergartners? Newcomers?
Transfer students?
- Who places ELL students into classrooms (in general) and my classroom (specifically).
- What is my responsibility for monitoring an ELL student's progress?
- What systems should the school have in place if my ELL still needs help beyond my
instruction?

That's plenty to mull over for now. While many of us may not regularly engage in this type of proactive questioning, remember that we are our students' advocates. ELLs have been historically underserved by our educational system- it wasn't until the 1980s that they were considered as having unique needs!

As always, I appreciate your efforts for tirelessly stepping up to this role through your teaching, counseling, advising, supporting and being a consistent positive role and academic model for our ELLs!

- W

Summer ELL Musings

Summer is not typically the time we as teachers like to do work or talk shop. I mean, we do plenty of that for 10 months a year! But, for those overachievers out there among you who take on extra credits at local universities, attend workshops, catch up on some research or just like to feel like you are doing some learning on your own terms, I have a wonderful ELL resource you may want to look at:

http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/files/accellerate/6/Accellerate_1_4.pdf

This link will take you to a journal called AccELLerate that is published by the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA). As its name implies, the NCELA exists to compile research pertaining to ELLs and specifically, around issues of high quality instruction for ELLs, at all levels.

This issue has many good articles, not long and hopefully easy to follow. It also has a nice mix of elementary, secondary, policy and general ELL related topics.

So, park yourself at your favorite park bench or dig yourself a nice spot on the sand and add this to your summer reading if you like.

I'll be here when you are finished.

Enjoy the summer sun (and the AcceELLerated learning). Sorry, couldn't help myself!

Absentia

My apologies for having been MIA for SO SO long.

It seems that the 2008-2009 school year was a whirlwind adventure of non-stop action, drama and work, work, work that kept me away from my very missed forum. But I am back, and hope to return on a semi-regular basis.

Yeah, I know, I know, it's summer...but unlike many of you out there enjoying your own vacations , I am working ALL summer long.

That's right. All. Summer.

But....no hatin' here. This is a no hatin' zone.

Please enjoy the beach, the mountains, and anywhere else in between you may find yourself celebrating another year of teaching under your belts. I have nothing to complain about- it's been a summer of more learning with new colleagues, reconnecting with old colleagues and gaining a bit more nuggets of wisdom to share with all of you!

So, on that note, stay tuned. I will bring some more info on English Language Learners very soon!