Entry #6

I have thouroughly enjoyed the coursework for this add-on ESL endorsement. The methods courses were most applicable to my job as an ESL teacher. My Wiki has been a great tool for both myself and my students. They enjoy playing the games that I included and always love exploring the International Digital Children's Library. My school system has even linked my Wiki to the system webpage.

This online program has been the most student-friendly of any I have been a part of. Dr. Craig has been most helpful when problems arise. I have enjoyed sitting in my pajamas, meeting friends, and growing professionally.

As advice to others, realize when you go into teaching ESL students that you may be the only person in the building looking out for the students' best interests. You are the one that makes sure the forms are sent home in the home language so parents can read them. You are the one making sure that teachers are giving students accomodations. You are the one that encourages them when they are having problems in the regular classroom. The ESL class is a place where these students feel safe and can be comfortable with their culture and home language.

Entry #5- Literature Circles

I implemented the Lit. Circle activity with Kindergarteners using the book Curious George Visits the Library. Let me say that it was a struggle (on my part), but the students enjoyed the activity. Why was it a struggle? The students were not familiar with completing graphic organizers and they just looked at it. I felt that I had to provide much of the information for them. I can see how making these literature circles a regular part of the class would make it go smoother each time it was done.

Literature Circles are very appropriate for ESL students because the teacher can control reading levels, discussion questions, and vocabulary, but the student still has the power to choose which book he wants to read. To implement Lit. Circles, a teacher must be organized and prepared. The teacher must also express high expectations if students are expected to work in groups without the teacher's leadership of the group.

Fieldwork Blog #4

Interviewing, observing, and working with one student over a period of a few weeks has been a rewarding experience. The  observation gave me a chance to see my ESL students performing in their regular classroom.

Conducting a case study and writing an ethnographic narrative are great tools to examine teaching practices and bias with the school and community. It gives a clearer picture of the community in which the student lives and ways that the family interacts.

I would like future teachers to know how important the family relationship is to this student. I would also like them to know that just because the family doesn't understand English doesn't make them stupid or uninvolved. This student seems very fluent with the English language, but continues to struggle with academic language and should not be expected to perform as natice English students.

Fieldwork Entry #3

Action research is a great tool to use when you see a problem and want an extensive look at data before finding a solution. The data collected can be interviews with students and teachers, work samples, observation of classroom practices, and student grades. By collecting a large amount of data, the researcher will get a clear picture of what solutions will work best.

I researched the amount of training teachers have received in order to be prepared for ELL students. I also interviewed ELL students to get an understanding of how often they see their cultures represented in the regular classroom. I found many websites that offer professional development concerning ELL students. I also found out the my school system (annd probably many others) have professional development money that is not being used and could be put towards gaining knowledge about ELLs. By solving the 1st problem of teacher knowledge and preparedness, you would be helping to solve the 2nd issue, of ELL students not seeing their cultures represented in the curriculum material.

My advice to other teachers: ASK if you can have some money for professional development. SEARCH the Internet for professional development. Many sites offer free courses that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.

Fieldwork: Blog #2

Teaching Issues: One of the greatest challenges facing teachers of ESL students is lack of training. I have found that teachers don't know that they should be making accomodations. Teachers also don't realize that just because students can communicate with their friends (BICS) doesn't mean that they understand what is being said in the classroom (CALP). Some teachers do not understand that when students come to American schools from a different country and already have some schooling, that they are educated, they just need to be taught how to transfer their learning into English. A few basic workshops could increase teacher knowledge and preparedness when working with ESL students.

Second Language Acquisition: During my observation, students were involved in Language Centers. Young students were involved in games that increased alphabet knowledge while older students worked on sight words. The teacher acted as one center, working with a small group and helping with a writing activity. The teacher also gave one-to-one instruction as needed on specific skills. I noticed that the listening center was the one most used by students. After listening to a story, students were to complete a writing activity in their journal. All the activities were developed so that students could work independently or with a partner and it was clear that classroom procedures were in place and understood by all students.

Ethnographic Perspectives: From my prospective, students' cultures was completely ignored. The classroom contained no pictures or posters of students of diverse races. Although there was one book in the Listening Center that featured a Hispanic child, no special attention was brought towards it. To better meet student needs, I need more education on the Hispanic culture and more resources focused on Hipanic students (children's literature, puppets, posters).

Fieldnotes Blog #1

For K-2 students I taught a lesson that focused on the position words (in, on, over, under, beside). Although this is a Kindergarten skill, all my students needed the review and I incorporated some advanced writing for the 2nd grader. The materials for the lesson were provided through the curriculum and included a poster, sight word cards, and leveled reader. All students had the opportunity to speak, write, and listen.

I feel that my classroom is very inviting for students. It is bright and full of games that children want to play (even though they might be learning while they play). Because we are like a small family that comes together every afternoon, I am not sure that my students would be as welcoming to a new student. They really like to have me all to themselves and what we do is "secret"!!!!!!

2011-2012 School Year

As expected, I have 7 ESL students every afternoon. Tomorrow we will make blueberry muffins to go with If You Give a Moose a Muffin.  Today, we read the story and discussed where the ingredients come from. On Friday, we will use pictures to sequence the steps of making muffins and then do some writing. Students have never been more engaged in the lesson. Can't wait until we cook something else.