Lesson Plans for ELL Students
Lesson plans for ELLs do not look much different than that of the student's regular classroom. As an ESOL teacher, my job is to supplement, not supplant, instruction. At JES we follow the Common Core and supplement with the WIDA language objectives to focus on a growth in language while mastering the curriculum. Sometimes when students are achieving in their classroom with very little help, I will add the Avenues series of text which is similar to a normal reading textbook but with the addition of a focus on developing language. Much of our class time is spent on preparing the student to go back into their classroom ready to understand what the teacher is saying with her general directions and content vocabulary as well.
Depending upon the grade level, ESOL students receive daily classroom instruction varying from 45-50 minutes. The ESOL program concentrates on four areas: speaking, reading, listening and writing skills. The use of the Hampton-Brown Avenues series in small groups helps to provide thematic units that stress oral language and phonetic skills development. Language experience activities are also incorporated in the program.