Modifying Worksheets, Study Materials, Essays and Tests
for ELL Students by Christine Scheid
WORKSHEETS
• Highlight Options
• Underline clues
WORKSHEETS
• Eliminate choices
WORKSHEETS
• Shorten length
WORKSHEETS
1) Use chapter questions or comprehension check questions from teacher’s manual
STUDY MATERIALS
• Use books on tape and recordings that accompany content reading
STUDY MATERIALS
• Make your own recordings of books and content reading
Who can do this? Students Volunteers Family members
STUDY MATERIALS
• How is it done?
Speak slowly Use music Commercially
produced is less effective
STUDY MATERIALS
• Visit this site:
www.littleexplorers.com
• Dictionary quizzes Graphic organizers Vocabulary maps Alternative worksheets
TESTS
• Give tests orally
Arrange for a bilingual student/parent to interpret oral test
TESTS
• Simplify the language you use in the directions and test questions.
Eliminate words Give straightforward
commands
TESTS
• Offer writing prompts or cloze versions of essays.
TESTS
• Encourage use of the index and pictures in the book.
• Put page #s next to the question.
TESTS
• Test/grade only the specific skill or concept – don’t test language
TESTS
1) It’s not a crime to…• Give clues.• Recast the question to allow for multiple choice or
yes/no answers. • Divide word bank portions into 2 smaller sections.• Tailor the test to your student’s acquisition level.
Helpful Websites for Vocabularywww.Googleimage.com
www.unitedstreaming.com
www.littleexplorers.com
http://www.vocabularya-z.com/Has a vocabulary lesson generator. Sign up for a free trial month.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htmMany useful interactive websites for different skills by grade level. http://www.vocabulary.com
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/maggie_science.htmHas games labeling science vocabulary. http://www.brainpop.comThis site features comic videos explaining different topics.
Useful Resources
• The More-Than-Just-Surviving Handbook: ESL for Every Classroom Teacher, Barbara Law and Mary Eckes.
• Meeting the Needs of Second Language Learners: An Educator’s Guide, Judith Lessow-Hurley.
• Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL: A Resource book for K-12 Teachers, Suzanne F. Peregoy and Owen F. Boyle.
• Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners, Jane D. Hill and Kathleen M. Flynn.
• “What Can You Do to Help the ELL in Your Classroom? Effective Classroom Strategies,” handbook compiled by Melissa Moe, CESA #11.