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Module 4 - Session 7

SUPPORTING THE WRITTEN LANGUAGE OF ELLs

Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners Across Learning Environments

Module 4 - Session 7 Program Cover - Illustration of arms writing on a piece of paper with learning icons surrounding them

GETTING STARTED

OVERVIEW

Welcome to TALE Academy Module 4: Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners Across Learning Environments!

Goal – The goal of this module is to help teachers expand their capacity for effectively teaching English language learners (ELLs) across learning environments.

Module Content – This module consists of 8 sessions on meeting the needs of English language learners across learning environments. Each session contains a variety of content and learning activities.

Session Content – You are beginning Module 4 – Session 7: Supporting the Written Language of ELLs.

MODULE WORKBOOK

If you have not yet downloaded your personal copy of the TALE Academy Workbook for this module, do so now. See directions below. There is only one workbook for each module which contains activities for all sessions within that module. 

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Step 1: Create your personal copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook.

Throughout this session, you will complete the session activities and take notes in the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook. You will have many opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills you learn using your digital workbook. When you click on the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook link, you will be prompted to make a copy of the workbook. Once you do so, your notes and your work within your workbook will be visible only to you. Please note that the workbook is fillable using Google Slides. We do not recommend printing a copy due to the length of the workbook.

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Step 2: Get familiar with the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook.

Now that you have your personal copy of the workbook, review pages 1-7 to learn about the workbook’s contents and tips for using the workbook. Don’t forget to add your name to page 1 to personalize your workbook!

 

Step 3: Review “Key Terms” for Session 7 in the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook.

Your last step is to review the key terms for Session 7. For every TALE Academy session, the key terms are listed at the start of each new session in the workbook. You can return to the key terms page(s) of your workbook throughout this session to add your notes.

GUIDING QUESTIONS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES

GUIDING QUESTIONS

  1. How can translanguaging scaffolds be used to support writing?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this session, you will be able to do the following:

  1. Plan for writing production by understanding a lesson’s writing demands.

  2. Identify opportunities to leverage home language and translanguaging in written work.

  3. Identify strategies for ELL writing instruction across learning environments.

  4. Leverage ELLs’ home languages by creating home language and translanguaging scaffolds.

ENGAGE: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

LEARN FROM OTHERS: 
VOICES FROM THE FIELD

The following video highlights the reflections of New York State educators on supporting the written language of ELLs.

WORKBOOK
ACTIVITY

To activate your prior knowledge on the topic, please complete the following steps:

  • In your copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook, complete Activity 4.7.1 – Reflection on the Language Arts.

If you have not already created your personal copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy by clicking here.

EXPLORE: TOPIC OVERVIEW

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

Select from the learning modalities below to explore an overview of the topic for this session. You may read a magazine-style article, watch a video, or listen to a conversational podcast.

 

You need to select only one option: read, watch, or listen.

As you read, watch, or listen, consider pausing and reviewing the key terms for this session in your workbook. You can add your own notes, ideas for application, or definitions of the terms in your own words.

READ

Dive into our Module 4 – Session 7 READ, a magazine-style overview of the session topic with infographics and links to resources.

WATCH

Tune into our Module 4 – Session 7 WATCH, a narrated, animated video that provides an overview of the session topic.

LISTEN

Settle in for our Module 4 – Session 7 LISTEN, a conversational, podcast-style discussion among educators about the session topic.

EXPLORE: CHOICE BOARD

Select one option from the choices offered below to learn more.

You need to select only one of the choices, but you are welcome to explore all the resources!

Rocco’s Day: A Student-Generated Story Activity For Literacy Practice

Synopsis: This blog post is from an English teacher teaching in Japan who uses scaffolds for ELLs for writing, including the incorporation of images, sentence frames, and assistance with physically writing down what the child is saying.

Format: Blog

Time: 5 minutes

Scaffolding Literacy Instruction For English Language Learners

Synopsis: This video provides examples of real-world application of close reading strategies with students, including ELLs. The teacher explains the purpose of the strategy and how it is used as a scaffold for learning.  

Format: Video 

Time: 9 minutes 

 

The Writing Recipe: Essay Structure For ELL

Synopsis: The video features a middle school teacher taking students through the writing process for an essay. She provides visuals, uses the students’ home languages, and then translates her responses in English, as well. Her gestures are big, and she works the room to assist students, as necessary.

Format: Video

Time: 7 minutes

Writing Strategies To Support Your ELL Students with Beth Vaucher (No. 31) (5:15 to 14:35)

Synopsis: This podcast features a guest who is teaching English in a Spanish-speaking country. She shares the scaffolds she uses to help her students to write.

Format: Podcast 

Time: 9 minutes (selection), 39 minutes (entire podcast)

ESTABLISH: REFLECTION FOR ACTION

WORKBOOK ACTIVITY

  • Return to your copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 4.7.2 – Creating Scaffolds for Writing.

  • If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy by clicking here.

EXTEND: DEEPER LEARNING

Extend your learning by engaging in a longer workbook activity and/or accessing additional resources.
This section is designed to help you begin a journey into deeper learning on the topic area.

WORKBOOK ACTIVITY

Return to your copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 4.7.3 – Creating Scaffolds for Writing, Continued. If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 4 TALE Academy Workbook, you can do so by clicking here.

Time: 20 minutes

ADDITIONAL 
RESOURCES

Scaffolding Writing Instruction for English-Language Learners

Topic: Educator tips for scaffolding writing instruction for ELLs at the secondary level

Format: Blog

Time: 4 minutes  

 

7 ESL Writing Tools You Would Never Have Imagined

Topic: A round-up of digital tools for use across learning environments

Format: Blog

Time: 4 minutes

 

Google Tools for English Language Learners

Topic: An overview of several tools to consider using with ELLs

Format: Blog

Time: 10 minutes 

 

Tech Tools to Support ELLs’ Literacy and Language Development

Topic: Tips for specific digital tools that support literacy development

Format: Blog 

Time: 2 minutes

 

A Strategy for Giving Corrective Feedback to ELLs

Topic: Using sentence frames and explicit feedback for ELLs

Format: Blog

Time: 4 minutes

WRAP-UP & NEXT STEPS

This session gave you information and resources on supporting the written language of ELLs. In the next session of this module, you’ll explore designing equitable learning experiences for ELLs.

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