The classroom is a preschool multidisciplinary special education class in an elementary school that serves preschool and kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The school district is located in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States of America. The school district is in an urban setting. The school district is located in a suburb within the city limits. The socioeconomic makeup of the school district is 84% low income and 83% of students receive free breakfast and lunch. All schools in the district are supported by Cummins Mental Health Agency as well as a full time social workers in each building. There are two preschool classrooms with four sessions in the school building.
The classroom serves ELL students with a variety of special needs which include, speech and language impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Downs Syndrome, Mild Mental impairment, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and Spina Bifida.
The ELL students and their families in the classroom are natives of Singapore, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, the Dominican Republic of the Congo, and the classroom is multi-ethnic with students who speak English, Yoruba, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and French. Three of the ELL students were born in the United States of America.
My Project
As an Early childhood educator, I can play an essential role in preparing young English language learners for later success in school. I am currently taking classes that will allow me to be certified to teach English Language Learners. I will be taking on-line courses through Purdue West Campus to learn more about helping ELL (English Language Learners) gain the English language skill they need for future success in school. I will be taking webinars on the computer and will be creating assessments and lessons that will allow me to better serve my ELL students. I have arranged to consult with Dr. Wright at Purdue University via Voicethread conversations that and the laptop computer will allow me to bring Dr. Wright into my classroom so that he can guide me as I gain the skills I need to assist my ELL students. I will use the touch screen computer to instruct students with technology-driven lessons. I will give my students opportunities to develop basic foundational skills in language and literacy so they will be ready to read and write in kindergarten.
I have learned how important it is to use authentic assessments like the SOLOM-R, MPI, WIDA-Can Do's, and performance assessment in conjunction with things that I already do like digital portfolio assessments, writing journals and other performance assessments to show positive growth for all of my students.
The touch screen computer will make it possible for me to collect reliable and valid data through assessments I will create. It is my responsibility to fairly reflect the learning of students through the regular use of assessments for learning.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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