Differentiating Instruction And Assessment For English Language Learners

"Explains why and shows how to differentiate assessments, assignments, and instruction for English language learners according to English language proficiency level and other background factors"--

Option: Book with Differentiator For this title packaged with poster see 978-1-934000-38-0. This user-friendly guide shows elementary and secondary general education and content-area teachers, as well as literacy, special education, and English language development (ELD) specialists, how to differentiate core content-area instruction and assessment for the English language learners (ELLs) in their classes. The book provides concrete strategies that teachers can use in any content-area classroom to engage every ELL, from beginning to advanced levels of ELD. The authors also highlight how teachers can address critical differences between ELLs with a strong foundation in the home language as well as students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). Included with the book is the Differentiator, an easy-to-use flip chart that organizes student descriptors, appropriate assessments, and instructional strategies according to five levels of ELD. Teachers simply flip to the student's English language proficiency (ELP) level in each domain to get a more nuanced understanding of what their ELLs can do with oral and written English. The Differentiator also includes assignment/assessment and instructional strategies for each domain at five ELP levels. The book and flipchart set is aligned with national and state English language proficiency standards and assessments, and it gives teachers tools to ensure that every ELL develops the oral and written academic language they need to reach high content-area standards and succeed at school. Teachers can use this tool to scaffold and support student learning in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms so that all students?including ELLs?can attain high content area standards and learn to use English for academic purposes. Key Features -True-to-life scenarios of students and teachers in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms ground every chapter -Easy-to-use templates model how to differentiate core-content instructional units and lessons according to ELLs' ELD level -End-of-chapter professional development activities guide teacher implementation -Extensive resources enhance continued professional development -Quick-reference flip chart for use in the classroom New to the Second Edition -Responds to changes in student demographics and learning standards -Additional chapter on teaching content and language to diverse learners -Attention to academic language at the word, sentence, and discourse levels -Greater focus on how students learn to use language and literacy for school success -Stronger emphasis on teacher collaboration, leadership, and innovative teacher-directed approaches to professional learning -Incorporates feedback from teachers and educators in the field

Shelley Fairbairn, Ph.D., is a professor at the Drake University School of Education and a national teacher professional development consultant. Fairbairn specializes in instruction and assessment of K-12 English language learners, cultural and linguistic diversity, and teacher education.

What is brain-compatible teaching? It emphasizes teaching the way the brain learns naturally. Brain-compatible teaching takes what we know about the structures and functions of the brain and uses it to create "brain-friendly" instructional strategies and assessment practices. Brain-compatible teaching addresses multiple intelligences and learning styles. Focus is placed on the student as an individual. Lessons and assessments are structured in ways that allow every student to reach their full potential. Students are encouraged to draw on their background knowledge, linguistic and cultural experiences, and use these tools as life-long learners. When teaching and assessment practices reflect the myriad students in our classrooms today, success is inevitable. Brain-Compatible Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners is written for teachers looking for solid instructional practices that work well with mainstream as well as English Language Learners (ELLs.) Drawing on the most current neuroscience research, the authors have give a theoretical overview of the twelve topics that contribute to successful brain-compatible teaching and learning and differentiating instruction for ELLs. The book then examines differentiating instruction and how to use such strategies as anchor activities and structures and provides sample lessons of each. Several examples are given to further illustrate aligning teaching with the standards. The book includes five 1-day lesson plans and two 5-day lesson units of activities that demonstrate sustained teaching. These are divided into topic areas and grade levels.

"Differentiated Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners "assists teachers in developing a multifaceted approach to successful instruction, uniquely clarifying the critical role of culture and language in working with English language learners. Carefully crafted chapters guide literacy educators from initial assessment to the development of successful, differentiated instruction. Drawing on their vast experience with teaching English Learners, Alice Quiocho and Sharon Ulanoff, offer teachers a myriad of practical strategies, lots of authentic teacher examples, and detailed lesson plans. They identify how to build English skills with English learners at every developmental level. In addition, the authors also feature a chapter detailing the steps necessary to reach English learners who have been identified for special education, a topic infrequently covered in other texts. The explicit lesson plans, field studies and classroom vignettes crystallize the theories presented in this text. Teachers will find that "Differentiated Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners "promotes a personalized approach to English learning that will prove to be a vital tool for anyone hoping to maximize their students potential. What reviewers say: The authors know their field and they recognize and confirm teachers abilities and expertise to enhance English language learners content literacy development. Janet Richards University of South Florida I think the authors do a wonderful job connecting theory to practice. The writers do an excellent job of writing a clear and interesting text. Debra Price Sam Houston State University There is much value in the pedagogical features of this book. I have never seen such an extensive explanation of language acquisition and the different ways teachers can assess English learners. I think that it will be the best book on the market in this regard. Deanna Gilmore Washington State University"

"Schools are not intentionally equitable places for English learners to achieve, but they could be if the right system of support were put in place. Diane Staehr Fenner and Sydney Snyder recommend just such a system. Not only does it have significant potential for providing fuller access to the core curriculum, it also provides a path for teachers to travel as they navigate the individual needs of students and support their learning journeys." --Douglas Fisher, Coauthor of Visible Learning for Literacy A once-in-a-generation text for assisting a new generation of students Content teachers and ESOL teachers, take special note: if you're looking for a single resource to help your English learners meet the same challenging content standards as their English-proficient peers, your search is complete. Just dip into this toolbox of strategies, examples, templates, and activities from EL authorities Diane Staehr Fenner and Sydney Snyder. The best part? Unlocking English Learners' Potential supports teachers across all levels of experience. The question is not if English learners can succeed in today's more rigorous classrooms, but how. Unlocking English Learners' Potential is all about the how: How to scaffold ELs' instruction across content and grade levels How to promote ELs' oral language development and academic language How to help ELs analyze text through close reading and text-dependent questions How to build ELs' background knowledge How to design and use formative assessment with ELs Along the way, you'll build the collaboration, advocacy, and leadership skills that we all need if we're to fully support our English learners. After all, any one of us with at least one student acquiring English is now a teacher of ELs.

Use this six-part strategy for measurable, cross-curricular EL achievement! Expert research, instructive tables and templates, essays, and real-life stories illuminate best practices for cross-curricular, standards-based instruction that gets results. Using the authors’ six-part ENGAGE Model, you’ll learn to: Establish a shared vision for serving ELs Name the expertise to utilize within collaborative teams Gather and analyze EL-specific data Align standards-based assessments and grading to ELs’ linguistic and content development Ground standards-based instruction in both content and language development Examine results to inform next steps Use this groundbreaking guide for measurable EL progress!

First published in 1995 as How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, this new edition reflects evolving best practices, practitioners' experience, and Tomlinson's ongoing thinking about how to help all students access high-quality curriculum; engage in meaningful learning experiences; and feel safe and valued in their school. Written as a practical guide for teachers, this expanded 3rd edition of Carol Ann Tomlinson's groundbreaking work covers the fundamentals of differentiation and provides additional guidelines and new strategies for how to go about it. You'll learn What differentiation is and why it's essential How to set up the flexible and supportive learning environment that promotes success How to manage a differentiated classroom How to plan lessons differentiated by readiness, interest, and learning profile How to differentiate content, process, and products How to prepare students, parents, and yourself for the challenge of differentiation We differentiate instruction to honor the reality of the students we teach. They are energetic and outgoing. They are quiet and curious. They are confident and self-doubting. They are interested in a thousand things and deeply immersed in a particular topic. They are academically advanced and "kids in the middle" and struggling due to cognitive, emotional, economic, or sociological challenges. More of them than ever speak a different language at home. They learn at different rates and in different ways. And they all come together in our academically diverse classrooms.