O-M-G

Okay, I have no clue where to begin this year!

Today I had students fill out index cards, a very simple and common task, so that I had their information.

Well, my "beginner ELL" which really should be an ESL class asked "What is an address". After I picked my chin up off the floor, I explained what an address was. Then, most of them told me " I don't know my address".

I teach 7th grade. They do not know their phone number or their address. What if they got lost or something else happened. How am I supposed to teach these children and get them to pass the ELA. I am NOT an ESL teacher.

Any advice would be so appreciated!

Re: O-M-G

yeah it's unbelievable isn't it? I have the same thing, except the kids are in high school Some speak no English & they are put in my class, well, I don't speak their language so what can I do? I wish I had some advice but I think it's all too common.

Re: O-M-G

I would definitely get their information from the office, have them copy it onto index cards, and have them memorize it!

You can link that with a lesson about why it's so important to know that information, safety, etc.

I would constantly be reinforcing that in class in various ways. You can do it all day long, like... "Will the student who lives on Smith St. please go to the door to line up" and so on... They should definitely have a quiz on this to make sure they know it, I'd give them 2 weeks!

Good luck!!!!! I have special ed thesame age, so I know how frustrating these situations can sometimes be!

Re: O-M-G

Cute Ideas!!! Thanks!

I am going to do the best I can. I have labeled my classroom with large index cards (desk, chair, etc.). I also color coded my agenda.

I have a book for ESL teachers and I am going to do the best I can. I requested push in services and was told "no" in not so many words. So, I will struggle through and do what I can. Hopefully they will learn a little.

Re: O-M-G

OMG I could have written this myself only I teach 4th grade and my kids are reading level D!! Im not an ESL teacher and I find myself speaking a lot of spanish (basic words) just to communicate to them!!!!

I did go to a teacher store and buy an ESL book and figured Id make copies everyday of the book and assign a packet for homework... luckily it goes from beginner to advanced ESL... thats the only advice i can give you!!!

Re: O-M-G

Re: O-M-G

Any updates?

Re: O-M-G

Hey!

Sorry I didn't update. Thanks for all of the advice.

Here is what I am doing:

1. color coded the agenda so they can identify the lessons based on color.

2. labeled the entire classroom

3. bought a map and star stickers. We put a sticker on our "country" and introduced ourselves.
Hello. My name is _____. I am from ______. In ____ people speak _____. The best part of my culture is ____.

Well that didn't go as planned. It stunk! They couldn't do it.

4. Today I tried to do a timeline. Very simple. Balloons = birthday. They had to write the date. School building obviously = year they started school. Plane = when they moved to U.S.A.

It is so frustrating to me. I am not trained enough. I have one boy who is so intelligent. He reads and speaks his language very well. It sucks that I can't help him make the connections in English. He wants to learn so badly.

I also have kids who can NOT read/write in either language! They are near impossible for me to help.

I am at a loss. I just ordered ESL smart. I don't know what else to do.

Message edited 9/16/2009 5:48:37 AM.

Re: O-M-G

If you have to teach the ELA, is it possible for your school to order adapted books? I'm responsible for getting ESL kids ready for the English regents and I use them all the time. they're the best thing EVER.

I like to use the Pacemaker Classic series and the AGS globe classroom reading plays. The AGS globe classroom reading plays are maiximum 32 pages and great for beginner/intermediate, and super easy, the Pacemaker classic books are more advanced.

I should say that both are available only in classic titles like tom sawyer, scarlet letter, treasure island etc, which can drive me nuts at times when a book i want is not available!

I wouldn't necassarily give them the spanish versions. Many can't read in their native language.

Message edited 9/15/2009 10:13:38 PM.

Re: O-M-G

sad but not shocking