The Teacher and the English Learner

I found this video and I thought it will be appropriate to share with everyone. I know we are on chapter 5 in our textbook but it is important that as educators we must understand our English learners oral language. Oral language provides the building blocks for literacy. According to a report by the National Reading Panel "Oral vocabulary is a key to learning to make the transition from oral to written forms, whereas reading vocabulary is crucial to the comprehension processes of a skilled reader." Children who do not develop these core language skills lack some of the most fundamental skills.

Day 6 Sometimes

I feel like it's been quite a while since we've met face-to-face, and although that I am very grateful that it allots us time to do our assignments on our own, I honestly miss you gals.  Also, it gives me a reason to get away from the house.  Hahaha!

So, this blog entry is entitled "Sometimes".  I sometimes feel that as I watch my students, I would like to reward them more for their progress.  As an ESL teacher, I get the benefit of watching many of my students blossom from not only a year, but for three.  I've had several students who were struggling academically, linguistically, and behavior-wise, and have now become better students, more proficient learners, and kinder and better individuals.  I know these are the true benefits of teaching and these are what keep many of us going :)  Hence, whatever raise we receive (my Hay Study increase is 30$- I'm not ashamed) and however grateful I am for mine, I know that I've done a good job when I witness this with my students.  I know that they are not the only ones who have progressed.  I can honestly say that I am a better teacher today than I was a year ago.  And that's a very comforting thought.  :)

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World unity

A Reading Experience

When my youngest daughter was about four, she really loved this certain book.  Everyday I would read to her and sometimes twice a day.  There were also times I would hide the book because I got  tired of reading it to her.  I would end up giving in and reading it to her again.  So one day, I asked her to read to me.  To my surprise she read or memorised the book from the beginning to the end. I was very pleased and so I wanted to show her off to one of my aunts.  So she read a loud to her and my aunt was very surprised she couldn't believe it.  I guess my daughter had memorised the book from being read to so many times.  She did not recognised the words when I pointed it out but she remembered the pictures that went with the words from the pages.  It was indeed an interesting observation at the time.

Talkative ESL students

I began the school year with two kindergarten boys who had just moved to Guam with their families and spoke little to no English.  The boys are of different ethnicities.  Early in the school year, I placed extremely talkative girls next to them in hopes they could all help each other.  My intention was (1) to provide opportunities for the boys learn to talk through socialization, and (2) to control the noise level by placing noisy students with extremely quite ones.


Today I found myself telling those same ESL boys, several times, to be quiet and to stop talking.  They are still not as fluent as my native English speakers, but they definitely have a whole lot to say.


Additionally, their test scores are fantastic.  Both are functioning at or above grade level and have no problems communicating with me or their peers.  Their whole language & academic development fascinates me!

English Language Learners and Equivalent Fractions

Good Afternoon!

For those of you who don't know, my school has recently instituted the departmentalization of math students.  This year, I am working with students who achieved the lowest stanine scores of last year's SAT-10 tests in mathematics.  All my students are English Language Learners, with some being a little more proficient in others.  Needless to say, my math class would be the perfect environment for me to complete the Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (SOLOM) checklist.  I have a couple of students who are very quiet, but achieve the highest scores in class.  I have only had these students for a month, so once they become more comfortable around me and their classmates, I can observe them a little better using the SOLOM.

I have also decided to change the website for the "Getting to Know You" introductions.  I forgot I was using a free trial for MoonFruit and I need to pay to use it now, so I decided to try out Wix.  Kindly send your writings and photos to my email: katrina.baza@gmail.com

My anxiety levels are still low.  I hope yours are too!

I'm looking forward to seeing you all next week!  Have a great three day weekend!

Oral Language Development in Second Language Acquisition

From reading Chapter 4, it gave me a better understanding on this particular topic.  Especially teaching children the language function of addressing people in social settings with respect.  Sometimes I have students who are rude when they speak to me and I have witnessed them being rude to others.  I can not help but think that they lack understanding in how to speak to an elder person, teacher, or someone in authority.  They may have not been taught to speak with respect to an elder, a teacher or an authority.  We as educators need to educate our students in how to orally address people in social settings in a polite and respectful ways.  We, ourselves should model correct behaviours in social settings, so our young can follow. Just a thought.

Class Newsletter Website: Introductions

Hello everyone!

One thing that stood out this week for me in regards to this course was the Chapter 4 reading.  I was finally able to take a look at the Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (SOLOM) checklist which needs to be completed in the upcoming weeks.  I thought it looked very easy to complete.  

I was also talking with Beauty about our "Getting to Know You" assignment.  I was thinking I could compile all the written paragraphs and photographs on a website builder called "Moonfruit".  If you all agree, you may send your written introductions and photos of your partner to my e-mail address: katrina.baza@gmail.com. I will also send you an e-mail regarding this.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Image source: http://www.webtechpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/moonfruit.jpg 

The importance of Oral Language Development in the ESL/ELL classroom

 I found this video on youtube and I thought it will be nice and appropriate to share it with everyone since chapter 4 talked about Oral Language Development in Second Language Acquisition.

Noticing my students ...

The more I read on second language acquisition, the more I understand my ELLs.


I am finding myself less adamant on oral responses and less frustrated about little to no verbal communication between ESL students and me.  I am accepting body language and simple gestures they make when I pose a question in class.  I am using a lot more informal assessments during daily lessons.


It has also affected my use of collaborative groupings, and seating arrangements.  The decision to seat my extremely quiet ELLs next to students who I can not get to be quiet was probably the best move I made for them.  Just today I found myself telling my English learner to "stop talking and pay attention." 


I am looking forward to learning more strategies that I could implement from this class.  Taking  course on TESOL is turning out to be very beneficial.

Graphic Organizer Training

 participated in ESL program graphic organizer training at Comprehensive Center for Student Learning Mangilao, Room 16 on February 18. Mrs. Dela Cruz presented different ways teachers can use graphic organizer to our ESL students. I had fun during the training and the best part is I got large set of graphic organizers and handouts for my class. She also shared if we want any graphic organizer to be print out we just need to inform our ESL coordinator and they will print it out for us.  

I want to attach a copy of her presentation here but I don't know how. If any of you knows how please let me know. Thank you!

Day 5 Swimming

"Just keep swimming," Dory said.  And that is what I am trying to do.  Remember when I said, sink or swim?  Well, I am glad to see everybody staying afloat.  :)  I got to thank everyone for your encouragement and being a delight to work with.  I am currently very tired right now at 2:30am.

*yawn*

I just wanted to stop by and compliment Chapter 3 of the textbook.  I am glad that as I read it, I am on the right path of making learning more effective and more enjoyable for my students.  I have still a lot to improve on, yes.  But I think what helps me to be a better than mediocre teacher is that I want to see my students learn.  If they do not learn, then what is the purpose of me getting up early, driving 30 minutes to work, and all the preparation and paperwork, if it were not to see and know that they've learned?  I know you guys are great teachers, that's why we're all in this class to get better at it.  (Not to mention the class up and the pay :) )  So y'all know what I'm sayin'.  :D

My Little Valentines

I had a wonderful day today with my students because they are progressing in learning steps in dancing, preparing them for the upcoming performance.  I see their enthusiasm and excitement with every improvement or accomplishment they make on a daily basis.  When they line-up outside my classroom to enter my class, I could tell that they can not hardly wait to come in and practice their dance steps.  I observe when students enjoy what they are learning they get excited and anxious to participate.  Moreover, when we plan our instructions we should keep in mind to plan exciting lessons where we get our students to be anxious and excited.

IRA Membership and Meeting

Hello all!

I, too, attended the IRA meeting last Saturday.  For those of you who have not signed up for membership, the process is very simple to complete. You would need to fill out a short form and pay $25.00 for the membership fee.

I enjoyed the IRA meeting last Saturday.  It was very entertaining.  A group of individuals from Japan presented stories on a very unique medium.  At first glance, I thought it was a felt board.  However, the paper they used was called p-paper.  It seemed very manipulable.  They were very animated in their presentations and their show held my attention for a while.

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I can't wait to see what else IRA has next month!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blogging on Love Day

Academic reading is not my strong suit, and, although interesting, many times I find myself asking why is this important and how can I use this in my classroom sometime in the very near future.  Thankfully Chapter 3 is more applicable than informational; which is a good thing!  As a teacher I want to know the names of strategies, what they are for, and how to use them.  Nice, short, sweet, and, if possible, in a list format.  Is that asking for too much?  ;)


In all, Chapter 3 is currently my favorite.  It builds on strategies currently being implemented, as well as clarifies others that I have not yet mastered.




HAPPY LOVE DAY Ladies!

Strategy Guide for ELL/Bilingual Learners

Happy Valentines ladies! I hope you all enjoy your heart's day with your special someone.

I just want to share this website http://www.esd20.org/site/files/510/135401/451027/623797/SIOPClassroomStragtegies.pdf 
It's a Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Strategy Guide for ELL/Bilingual Learners that provides information as a guide and resource for teachers that are working with ESL students.  It also provides strategies that are best practice for ELLs and provide comprehensible input for varying levels of English Language Proficiency. Furthermore, it provides strategies that are successful in the classrooms and are used to increase student participation using academic language.

Day 4 Special Feelings

Just because it's nearly Valentine's Day, I honestly did not mean to entitle this post as anything that is pertaining to feelings!  Except that, yes, I did feel quite special last Saturday and you'll understand why.  ☺

Last Saturday, I attended the IRA meeting at St. Paul's and it was a really good experience.  First, I won a $3.00 coupon to spend on classroom novelties.  The only one I got to keep though was a test tube slime (that I got for $1.00) because I gave my $2.00 earnings to my co-worker's daughter, with whom I got to hang out with for the entire event.  So, that was my first special feeling: I felt pretty favored/lucky because I don't usually pick the winning tickets/coupons/raffle prizes.  

Next, I watched a presentation by a Panel Theater from Japan.  They were extremely talented and amusing with what they did.  Although, there was a language barrier, everyone could understand talent and fun!  So, that was my second special feeling: happyness (I do know how to spell this word, but I made a solemn vow to spell it this way more than three years ago).  Because I was with my co-worker's nine year old daughter who was so eager to participate with anything fun and amusing, I was compelled to participate briefly in one of the parts of the presentation, where we got to observe a super amazing optical illusion.

Finally, when the final raffle came, I won a gift bag with a book that I had been wanting to purchase and read.  It is called Scarlet by Marissa Meyer.  I felt very lucky/favored once again.  

How can I use this in the classroom?

From what I can take away from the IRA meeting, I think if I could create a simple version of the panel presentation or ask a panel theater on Guam (if there is any) to present to our ESL team, then perhaps, our students would appreciate and enjoy it as much as I did.  

My IRA ticket

Presentation with black light.  This was very cool!

Presentation about how to cook Takoyaki.  Also, very cool!

Second Language Acquisition

This class session was very informative.  What I found to be the most valuable to me was the importance of interaction in the classroom and the consideration of the different features (cultural, emotional, and social) that have an effect on learning.

My school has recently begun departmentalizing for math.  All of my students are ESL students.  There are many times when I feel discouraged because they don't seem to be picking up concepts as easily and I wonder what else I could do to adjust my teaching to allow them to succeed.

Reading the first chapter and then discussing the second chapter in class has really been an eye-opener for me and has made me think of strategies to use to better assist all my students, particularly my ESL students

Words were medicine: they were magic and invisible

It was so good to see everyone again in class today. I really had so much fun with the jigsaw activity and the class discussion. I always enjoy listening to you all when it comes to sharing in the class discussion. I really like the jigsaw activity especially because it's part of cooperative learning. This is a great activity to do it with any grade level. I have to be honest, I came to class unprepared. I was not able to complete reading the chapter. Doing this jigsaw activity I was able to understand what the rest of the chapter was about. Thank you everyone for participating in this activity and also contributing during the class discussion. I am looking forward to our next face-to-face class session. Let us all have a great and safe weekend and keep in mind that "When language is acquired, whining is learned."

I enjoyed and learned a lot through everyone’s presentations tonight. Through our jigsaw activity, I am able to understand most of the parts in our chapter reading.

I would like to continue sharing with us the part on social and cultural factor in learning the language.

- Feel frightened because of different culture and you’re the only one from your culture may cause the child to not learn well the English language.

- Self-conscious and concerned about being different may lead to the child frustration and difficulty to learn the language

- being the eldest sibling is another factor in culture because eldest sibling carried lots of responsibilities in the family. Eldest have to help with household chores while the youngsters have the chance to play and socialize with peers.

In some other studies, it tells us that the younger you are the more you acquire the language. It is easy for the young ones to acquire the language than adult.

Today I consider Guam as a melting pot. For this reason, I think it is very important for teachers to consider the social and cultural factor in our school system.

Class Session

I like today’s class session. I enjoyed learning different ways to say hello in different languages. I’m planning to create a poster using the hand out that Dr. Rivera shared to us and post it in my classroom. That way, my students and I can practice greeting one another from different languages. At the same time, we are able to recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of other language.


I also enjoyed our discussion on Chapter 2 Second Language Acquisition and our class activity "Jigsaw". I wasn't able to read Chapter 2 so through everyone’s well-organized presentation, I was able to gain knowledge and had a better understanding of language acquisition. Awesome job everyone!

Chapter 2: Second Language Aquistion

As a teacher, I never put so much thought into how my ELLs acquire their second language. I may have inquired about strategies to try to help them and may have done some light research, however, the in depth explanations that the text provide was very enlightening. All I all, there were a few common points that everyone shared.

(1) Teachers need to be very observant of their ELLs verbal and nonverbal responses while at school.  These cues have reasons behind them that may stem from cultural backgrounds.  If we teachers are not observant, we will never understand our students and their struggles.

(2) Second language acquisition takes time. As much was we want our students to be at grade level in terms of academic and social expectations, learning the expectations, norms, and language of another culture is not something that can happen over night.  So no matter how great the pressures that are placed on educators to raise student achievement, sometimes we teachers need to be reminded that learning a second academic and social language is not something that can be rushed.

(3) English learners face many obstacles before reaching proficiency. Because of this, allowing opportunities for trial and error, and for learning by doing, may help build the necessary confidence needed to face future academic challenges. A strong foundation will prepare English learners for more complex questioning that secondary schools and the job force may require.

In all tonight's jigsaw activity was a good one.  I'm am looking forward to applying it in the classroom.

"Words were medicine: they were magic and invisible.  They came from nothing into sound and meaning.  They were beyond price; they could neither be bought nor sold."

-N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa), House Made of Dawn, 1968

My view on this is words bring out emotions when it is said they appear out of nowhere and not seen but yet the impact is so great.  From thought, sound developed to connect concepts and meaning.  To those who place value on words, it is priceless when someone says things to you from the heart.  

Day 3: Shalom

I believe I have reached some level of Shalom (peace) in today's class session, quite different from my Day 1, where I felt like a deer caught in the headlights.  

I really enjoyed reading Chapter 1 of the textbook and thought that the authors did a swell job of including realistic, relevant, and thought-provoking information about ELLs, policies, and general ESL instruction.  I would love to get better in my career as an ESL teacher and thought the book (and this is just Chapter 1) gave very good insights in order for me to grow as an empathetic and effective educator.  

Lastly, I really enjoyed growing with my classmates and Dr. Rivera in our relationships and our interactions with each other.  We are blessed with such a great group, with every person willing to share, cooperate, and encourage each other to stay positive and succeed.  I am looking forward to continue working with everyone.  ^_^  Have a good week, y'all!   

♥Ruth

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Shalom