Karen's ESL Corner

Assignment#5

2009-12-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

What are your overall impressions of implementation?

Literature circles are a fun, non threatening, and a less restrictive way to teach a love of reading!

How did students react to the literature?

They enjoyed discussing the book and getting to ask questions.

How did students react to discussing the selected text?

Students liked voting on a book and sharing their points of view on what was important to them about the book.

How appropriate is the Literature Circle Technique for second language learners?

It is an easier way to get all children to participate in reading without having students feel put on the spot.

What changes would you make if you were were to repeat this?

I would have liked to tried a lower level group to see how they would do.

What suggestions would you have for other ESL professionals considering implementing Literature circles?

Try it without any preconcieved ideas.

Blog #2 Observations & Problem Identification

2009-09-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

What identified problems related to teaching, lesson delivery, materials, and related strategies are present?

The First Grade students were able to answer questions correctly; however, could not explain why they chose the answer. Students were very low functioning and had very little vocabulary. Expectations were very high for where they are at academically. Teacher tries to meet children, where they are at by encouraging them and getting them to think about how they are learning.

What problems or issues related to teaching -in general-did you observe? Very few students could express themselves in English. Most were copying, and looking around at the more verbal ones for help.

What concerns emerged with regard to grouping, interactions, and etc.?

Differentiating was not too hard, since most of the students were low academically; however, getting the students to participate was difficult for the teacher.

Second Language Acquisition

What did you observe that worked well in promoting second language acquisition? Visuals and songs seemed to work best for the teacher, the students seemed more engaged and participated more during this time.

What type of interactions took place that encourages second language acquisition?

When they were singing a rhyme during large group reading with a visual chart, they seemed happy, the teacher and student exchanged relaxed and oral language.

What materials were best suited for the specific second language learners in this setting?

Visuals-chart, Auditory-music, and manipulatives.

Ethnographic Perspective The information needed to meet the needs of ELL’s is their letter knowledge; letter-sound knowledge, Reading level and ability to risk take. Culture was integrated in reading in learning by the big book used, which was rich in culture and asked questions that made connections with students. Issues and concerns relating to culture, linguistic diversity could emerge when a majority of students are Spanish speakers and one is African in the classroom. Culturally and linguistically this is difficult for the one student who is different; however, I didn’t see this as a problem when I observed the lesson.

Blog#1 Classroom Observation

2009-09-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

September 16, 2009

My observation was of Mrs. Connie Barr's First grade ELL class. When I walked in, the children were siting at their desks completing a do now assignment. I was able to observe her teach a small group lesson at a table, while the other students worked quietly at their desks.The small group consisted of five children and it was teacher directed.

At the small group table, the lesson was on identifying beginning letter sounds. Mrs. Barrs handed out a sheet to each student with several different icons on it and letter sticky notes.T he lesson consisted of listening for the picture icon word and then finding the correct beginning letter sound sticky note to place on top of the icon. The teacher had mentioned that this lesson was a review.

I observed children listening carefully to her directions and they for the most part were able to find the correct beginning letter-sound. There was one student who was having difficulty placing the right beginning letter sound on the icons. The teacher was able to guide the child through it , until the student was able to make the right corrections herself.

My first thoughts regarding the observation of this group was how disciplined and focused the children were during the lesson. The classroom was accepting and welcoming by the way the teacher and children greeted me as I entered the room,as well as the classical music playing in the background, which made the classroom ambiance feel safe, nurturing and tranquil. The classroom did display evidence of community, by the way the children cooperated with their teacher and with one another. I saw one child direct another child to a center and one help the other one find a pencil that was on the floor.

The teacher was very firm, but loving when speaking with the children and her directions were very clear.

My overall experience in observing this lesson was a positive one, it was good for me to observe what children are doing in first grade ELL, especially since I have taught Kindergarten ELL for over 2 years.

2009-09-02T19:54:00.001-07:00

Hello! My name is Karen Vega-Luna. I have taught ESL Kindergarten in TN for 2 years and am teaching Regular Kindergarten this year. I look forward to learning so much from this course.

Until next time,

Karen