Classroom Assessment Of Language Levels: A Quick Formative Assessment Tool,
2016
University of Central Florida
Classroom Assessment Of Language Levels: A Quick Formative Assessment Tool, Paul Boyd-Batstone
TAPESTRY
When a newly arrived English learner (EL) enters the classroom, time is not on the teacher’s side. It is not uncommon for the EL to arrive far ahead of assessment data, such as a standardized measure of language level. Yet, the teacher is obliged to immediately provide instruction. Time is not on the student’s side either. English learners need immediate and appropriate instruction. This calls for a quick, formative assessment tool for identifying language level and appropriate accommodations. The purpose of this article is to present the Classroom Assessment of Language Levels (CALL) a tool for teachers to identify an …
Editor's Note,
2016
University of Central Florida
Technology And Language Teaching: A Conversation With Dr. James May,
2016
University of Central Florida
Technology And Language Teaching: A Conversation With Dr. James May, Tapestry Staff
TAPESTRY
TAPESTRY recently caught up with Dr. James May, winner of 2011-2012 Carnegie Foundation Florida Professor of the Year award, at a recent state conference. Dr. May is currently a Professor of English as a Second Language at Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida. His research focuses on helping teachers to incorporate Web 2.0 technologies into instruction. Dr. May graciously agreed to share some of his insights into issues surrounding technology in the modern classroom with TAPESTRY.
Dramatic Differences: The Power Of Playbuilding For Young English Language Learners,
2016
University of Central Florida
Dramatic Differences: The Power Of Playbuilding For Young English Language Learners, Jamie Simpson-Steele, Daniel A. Kelin Ii
TAPESTRY
Through a combination of anecdotal stories, the findings of a qualitative evaluative study and overview of experiential activities, this article outlines how a group of 4th and 5th grade English Language Learners benefited from a drama-based project focused on building student confidence, collaborative and communicative skills and facility with drama processes to engage interest and stimulate a sense of investment with the ELL participants. A portion of the article focuses on one participant who experienced a particularly intriguing journey that stimulated both discoveries and questions about the drama program.
Preparing Preservice Teachers To Address The Disproportionality Of Ells In Exceptional Education Programs,
2016
University of Central Florida
Preparing Preservice Teachers To Address The Disproportionality Of Ells In Exceptional Education Programs, Leah J. Lerma, Martha Lue Stewart
TAPESTRY
As our nation’s classrooms become more diverse, how to best educate all of our students is of paramount importance. The educational placement of students of racial, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity in classes for students with special needs at a disproportionate level is well documented. This paper addresses the issue of disproportionate representation of English Language Learners (ELLs) in special education programs. Teacher beliefs, cultural bias, lack of culturally responsive professional development opportunities, and assessments contribute to inappropriate referrals and identification. Preparing preservice teachers to understand disproportionality and why it exists can help reduce the inappropriate referrals and placement of …
Editor's Note,
2016
University of Central Florida
New Book Publication Announcement,
2016
University of Central Florida
New Book Publication Announcement, Tapestry Staff
TAPESTRY
An announcement of a new edited book titled “Preparing Every Teacher to Reach English Learners: A Practical Guide for Teacher Educators” published by Harvard Education Press in 2012 describing an innovative infusion approach to the preparation of all teachers to effectively address the language, literacy, and content learning needs of English learners (ELs) in general education classrooms.
Essay Review: Implications For Educators Of Daniel Everett’S Language: The Cultural Tool,
2016
University of Central Florida
Essay Review: Implications For Educators Of Daniel Everett’S Language: The Cultural Tool, Christopher W. Johnson
TAPESTRY
This essay review discusses Everett (2012), Language: The Cultural Tool, with particular emphasis on implications for educators. While Everett does not belong to the discourse of pedagogy and policy for classrooms, his findings and arguments resonate powerfully with the contemporary challenges of PK-12 classrooms and teacher preparation.
Benefits And Challenges Of Co-Teaching English Learners In One Elementary School In Transition,
2016
University of Central Florida
Benefits And Challenges Of Co-Teaching English Learners In One Elementary School In Transition, N. Eleni Pappamihiel
TAPESTRY
This article reports the findings of a case study centered upon the implementation of a coteaching model in an elementary school with a mixed (EL and non-EL) population. In the co-teaching model examined, ESL teachers were embedded in the general education classroom, collaborated on instruction, and taught in cooperation with general education teachers. In addition to presenting the outcomes of the examined co-teaching model, the article outlines several key conditions for the successful application of this model to various teaching environments.
Editor's Note,
2016
University of Central Florida
Preparing Teacher Candidates To Meet The Needs Of English Language Learners: The Tells Certificate,
2016
University of Central Florida
Preparing Teacher Candidates To Meet The Needs Of English Language Learners: The Tells Certificate, Martha Castañeda, Jeannie Ducher, Amy Fisher-Young, Bruce E. Perry
TAPESTRY
A report on the development and implementation of the Teaching English Language Learners (TELLs) certificate program at Miami University, in Oxford Ohio.
Infusing El Content And Instruction Into English Education Courses,
2016
University of Central Florida
Infusing El Content And Instruction Into English Education Courses, Donna Niday
TAPESTRY
An article presenting a five-stage process of infusing EL-relevant topics into English education courses.
Infusing El Content Into A Foundations Course,
2016
University of Central Florida
Infusing El Content Into A Foundations Course, Cynthia J. Hutchinson
TAPESTRY
An article describing the author's experiences with ELs as well as with infusing EL content within a foundations course.
Infusing El Content Into A Sociocultural Studies In Education Course,
2016
University of Central Florida
Infusing El Content Into A Sociocultural Studies In Education Course, Lauren B. Isaac, Richard A. Quantz
TAPESTRY
An article describing the process of embedding English learner topics in the sociocultural studies in education course the authors teach.
The Evolution, Experiences, And Lessons Learned With Esol Infusion In Florida,
2016
University of Central Florida
The Evolution, Experiences, And Lessons Learned With Esol Infusion In Florida, Jane Govoni
TAPESTRY
A description of the evolution of EL Infusion in Florida, where the State Department of Education requires all teacher candidates to be prepared to work with ELs.
Editor's Note,
2016
University of Central Florida
Book Review Of "Differentiating Instruction And Assessment For English Language Learners: A Guide For K-12 Teachers",
2016
University of Central Florida
Book Review Of "Differentiating Instruction And Assessment For English Language Learners: A Guide For K-12 Teachers", Melanie Gonzalez
TAPESTRY
Text: Fairbairn, S. & Jones-Vo, S. (2010). Differentiating Instruction and Assessment for English Language Learners: A Guide for K-12 Teachers. Philadelphia: Calson.
Enhancing Reading Proficiency In English Language Learners (Ells): The Importance Of Knowing Your Ell In Mainstream Classrooms,
2016
University of Central Florida
Enhancing Reading Proficiency In English Language Learners (Ells): The Importance Of Knowing Your Ell In Mainstream Classrooms, Marth Castañeda, Eva Rodríguez-González, Melissa Schultz
TAPESTRY
In this manuscript, the authors encourage classroom teachers and school leaders to learn about the home culture and language of the growing English learner population if they are to respond effectively to these students’ language, literacy, and content learning needs. These funds of knowledge have been shown to help teachers adjust instruction in ways that permit students to engage more actively in language, literacy, and content learning tasks. In addition to offering recommendations for administrators and teachers working to improve literacy of ELLs within and outside the school setting, the authors share sample surveys that can be used to gather …
In English You Read With A Stopwatch: A Journey Towards Biliteracy In Two Older Adopted Salvadoran Children,
2016
University of Central Florida
In English You Read With A Stopwatch: A Journey Towards Biliteracy In Two Older Adopted Salvadoran Children, Mary A. Petron, Barbara J. Greybeck
TAPESTRY
This longitudinal case study provides an in-depth exploration of the journey toward bilingualism and biliteracy of two older adopted Salvadoran siblings in U.S. schools. Data sources include observations in the home and school, interviews, written artifacts, field notes, and various reading test scores. Analysis suggests that literacy instruction in English tended to focus more on phonics and fluency than comprehension and vocabulary, and it assumed a level of oral proficiency in English that neither of the children had. Spanish literacy instruction was aimed toward children of Mexican origin that was neither culturally relevant nor geared toward their specific language needs. …
Teaching Inclusivity: Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Knowledge, Skills And Attitudes Toward Working With English Language Learners In Mainstream Classrooms,
2016
University of Central Florida
Teaching Inclusivity: Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Knowledge, Skills And Attitudes Toward Working With English Language Learners In Mainstream Classrooms, Philip C. Smith
TAPESTRY
This study investigated the effect of one semester of ESOL education on preservice teachers by examining their perceived knowledge and skill in working with English Language Learner (ELL) students, and their attitude toward having ELL students in their mainstream classrooms. The survey identified two factors: a) Perception of ESOL Knowledge and Skills (PEKS) and b) Attitude Toward Inclusion (ATI). Results showed that preservice teachers’ perceptions of both knowledge & skill (PEKS) changed from introductory to the final ESOL course, and that PEKS changed significantly from pre- to post-test within the same course. No significant changes were found in students’ attitude …
