I am a fourth-grade teacher at a Title I school in Virginia. We are a Pre-K through 8th-grade building. Nearly 900 students call our school their "home." This year instead of switching classes, I have the pleasure of having one class of 24 students all day. This is a true pleasure as I really get to know the students better the more time I spend with them. Of the 24, there are students receiving special education services, English language learners, French students, and gifted learners.
For many of our students, school is more than just a place to learn, but a source of consistency and love.
Some of our students have been through more in their young lives than most adults. Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world. Many of our families are part of the military, which means that many of our students have to deal with one, or even both of their parents, being on deployment for long periods of time.
My hope is to provide the students with a safe and fun place to learn!
My Project
All students are expected to become readers in school. However, students who speak a language other than English have challenges to overcome first. Not only are they learning to speak and understand a new language, but they also have the same expectations placed on them as English-only students in regards to reading and writing in English.
My goal for this project is to build ELL vocabulary, background knowledge, and an interest in learning.
Finding challenging materials, that's not "babyish," to use with 4th grade English language learners who read at a kinder and first grade level can be challenging. As I teach my students English I want to delve into subject areas so they can learn just as much as everyone else.
For this reason, I selected materials that I would be able to teach and present in an engaging scaffolded lesson using Zoom. They will be learning English while at the same time being introduced to academic subjects that are important to the world today and their future.
Nearly all 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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