Category: Understanding by Design ( UbD)

Lesson Planning to Ensure ELL Engagement

Teaching English Language Learners Across the Content Areas

by Judie Haynes and Debbie Zacarian

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109032/chapters/Lesson-Planning-to-Ensure-Optimal-Engagement-of-ELLs.aspx

This website shares an excerpt of chapter 2 from the book, Teaching English Language Learners Across the Content Area by Judie Haynes and Debbie Zacarian. The text discusses the idea of Understanding by Design and approach to lesson planning that has educators working backwards.


Figure 2.1. Checklist for Modifying Lesson Plans for ELLs

□ Plan resources, visuals, and vocabulary activities in advance.□ Act out vocabulary words and key concepts.
□ Use visuals (pictures, videos, drawings, maps) to aid comprehension.
□ Provide a study guide at the beginning of the unit.
□ Identify content and language goals and write them on the board for students.
□ Use graphic organizers.
□ Simplify your language: repeat, restate, reword.
□ Arrange for students to work in groups.
□ Explicitly teach vocabulary and provide students with word walls.
□ Provide multiple opportunities to practice new vocabulary.
□ Add a word bank to activities and tests.
□ Give both written and oral instructions.
□ Teach ELLs to underline or highlight main ideas in text.
□ Assign a buddy to ELLs and arrange for tutoring.
□ Modify instruction so that ELLs can participate in content area lessons.
□ Tailor assignments to ELLs’ levels of English language acquisition.
□ Modify tests (e.g., by using word banks, simplifying language, asking fewer questions).
□ Allow ELLs to show what they know in multiple ways (e.g., through oral responses, drawing, labeling, acting out answers).

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