Social Studies ESOL Strategies
- Grace Hajj
- Oct 5, 2015
- 4 min read
Strategy 1: Leveled Questions
ELD.K12.ELL.SS.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
The four stages of second language acquisition that are not yet fully fluent are preproduction, early production, speech emergence, and intermediate fluency. As the teacher may have students who are at all of these levels in her classroom, it is important to know what type of questioning to use with differently functioning students. For example, when asking about specific details about different bodies of water, it is better to pose those questions to intermediate fluent students, and to just ask early production students, "What is this?" (pointing to an ocean). When the students are reading in their social studies books, they are going to have to understand key concepts and facts, and it is the teacher's job to to explain it in the best way that their level can understand. Sometimes a picture or visual is enough. Make sure all students are involved and keep track of their progress to best determine how to phrase questions in the future.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 2: Think-Pair-Share
SS.1.A.2.2
Compare life now with life in the past.
ELD.K12.ELL.SS.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
Ask the students a question about history, such as "How is life for us today different from how it was in the lesson we talked about?" After giving time to the students to think about this on their own, allow the students to discuss this question with a partner. This enables them to share thoughts and ask questions they may have with one another. Then, have the students share their thoughts with the entire class. They will be able to tell their own ideas, or they can relate what they learned from their partners. The class will be able to learn from each other and the ELLs will have a chance to feel more comfortable with their English in a one-on-one setting before talking to the class. If they do not feel comfortable speaking in front of the whole class, they can listen to how their partner relays their previously discussed ideas.
http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/increase-student-interaction-think-pair-shares-and-circle-chats
https://spring12ell.wikispaces.com/file/view/18277796401.jpg/336878612/18277796401.jpg
Strategy 3: Jigsaw Activity
ELD.K12.ELL.SS.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
SS.3.C.1.3
Explain how government was established through a written Constitution.
Divide the text you are teaching on, in this case an informational text on the Constitution, into three different parts. Number each section 1-3, and then assign students to read text 1, 2, or 3. Once the students have read this section, allow them to get into groups with other students who have their number. After all the number 1s, 2s, and 3s have discussed what they have learned, break the students up into groups that each includes a 1, 2, and 3 student. Have the students teach to their partners what they have learned, giving each student an opportunity to share. This is helpful for the ELLs because not only do they have to read the whole passage, but they are able to discuss the portion they read with their classmates who read the same text before talking about it to the classmates who haven't. This helps build good communication skills while still allowing the students to learn from each other and using less work.
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/teaching_ell.phtml
Strategy 4: Cognate Strategies
ELD.K12.ELL.SS.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
SS.1.C.3.2
Recognize symbols and individuals that represent American constitutional democracy.
This strategy is very effective in working with English language learners because it ties in what students are learning in the classroom with terms they already knew in their home country. For example, when learning about America's system of government and democracy, students can relate new terms and ideas to what they know from prior experience in their first language. The teacher can help implement this by showing how some words are similar, and then being sure to highlight on the different spelling differences that are likely to occur between languages. Have students write about new words that they learn in their writing journals, writing the word in both English and their home language. Ask many questions to ensure that students are really understanding the concepts that are taught.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 5: Preview/Review
ELD.K12.ELL.SS.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
SS.1.C.3.1
Explain how decisions can be made or how conflicts might be resolved in fair and just ways.
This strategy helps to build understanding for English language learners by strengthening concepts learned in the classroom, such as community relationships and how to work together. It is helpful to access students' prior knowledge beforehand, and then build on that knowledge through the lesson. Afterwards, review the terms and knowledge gained with the students, and then allow them to show what they learned through writing it out or illustrating what they know. If possible, record their progress for future reference.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Strategy 6: Repetition and Innovation
ELD.K12.ELL.SS.1
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
SS.1.A.1.1
Develop an understanding of a primary source.
To better emphasize the meaning and importance of a historical text, have the students explore a topic that they find interesting. Then have them play with the words they read about by using a pocket chart, to help them see the different descriptions and terms were used to describe the historical event. Next, have the students each create a page filled with an illustration and description of one aspect of what they read, and then put together the pages and create a book. Make new innovations of this book, to help the students become more familiar with the structure and pattern of the story.
Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2015). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners (5th ed.). N.p.: Pearson.
Comments