Passport to Learning: Teaching Social Studies to

ESL Students

Overview

Part one: Getting to know the ELL student

Part Two: Teaching the Social Studies: Challenges and Prospects

Part Three: Internet resources

Getting to know the ELL student

Getting to know the ELL student

What can I expect? Increasing presence of ELL’s in the United

States.Familiarize yourself with the jargon Become familiar with the background and

level of English proficiency of each ELL student.

Lau vs. Nichols

Getting to know the ELL student

Focus on language

Provide comprehensible instruction

Promote English language development

Stages of Second Language Acquisition

Teaching ELL students: Effective Communication

Modified input- altering the way that information is conveyed, including simplifying language, gesturing, or providing visual cues.

Modified interaction- altering the way that information is exchanged, including checking for comprehension, re-stating and paraphrasing each other’s utterance, or asking for clarification

Teaching ELL students

Where do I begin? Understand the second language acquisition

process and effective communication

Scaffolding

Contextual support in primary grades

Build cognitive academic proficiency

Cooperative learning: “jigsaw” technique

Teaching ELL students: Questioning and Discussion

V: voice- quality and pitch

I: intonation- proper enunciation

P: pausing- for comprehension and response

S: speed- giving time to process the language

Celebrating Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Strategies to make ELL students feel welcome and included in your classroom:1. Learn to pronounce their name correctly.2. Invite student to make a presentation about

their culture to entire class.3. Labeling items in the language of ELL

students and in English.4. Setting high expectations5. Provide visuals for class routines

Teaching the Social Studies: Challenges and Prospects

Teaching the Social Studies

United States History

World History

Geography

Government and Civics

Economics

Internet Resources

Provides professional resources and Internet websites.

Lesson Planning, Learning Activities, and Printable Materials:

Boggles' World: http://bogglesworld.com/ ESL lounge: www.esl-lounge.comESL Party land: http://www.eslpartyland.comEnglish Learning Fun Site:

http://www.elfs.com

Critique/Recommendation

Format of book: Question/AnswerClear and provided examplesResourcesIncorporates the stages of language

proficiencyReally organized and helpful!

Correlation to class

Background knowledgeCultural background of ELLCALPBICSUse of visuals in classroomIndividual needs

Reference:

Cruz, B. C., Nutta, J., & O’Brien, J. (2003). Passport to learning: Teaching social studies to ESL students. Silver Spring, MD: National Council for the Social Studies.