Gestures and Tangible Items

As I sit in a conference on teaching EL's, the discussion of teaching vocabulary became a top discussion. The presenters discussed how looking up definitions alone, are not effective in the fact that words have multiple meanings and may be hard to distinguish the correct meaning in the text.

Instead we discussed the value of teaching definitions by using gestures and tangible items. This helps students make meaning either visually or orally.

Here are some other ways to help with understanding vocabulary.
1. Video clips
2. Previewing text before reading
3. Making Connections
4. Activating prior knowledge
5. Using context clues
6. Picture cards
7. Visuals
8. Translating to native language (bilingual text)

My big "Aha Moment" was when we discussed how the strategies we use for our English Language Learners is good for ALL Learners.  As classroom teachers receive more ELL's in their classrooms, it's reassuring to know that what we do for the ESL student, we can do for the struggling English learner.

As we collaborate to meet the needs of our English Learners, what are some other ways to teach vocabulary to our students? Please share.

Building Background Knowledge

As educators we know the importance of building background  knowledge. This is especially important when teaching ELLs.  Today I made the mistake of assuming my middle school students had prior knowledge of what a monument was. The narrative text was about an experience The author had when visiting his grandparents. Not being familiar with what a monument was made the text hard for my student to understand. Too often ELL students struggle with vocabulary and as educators we can help by building background knowledge and discussing vocabulary. During the same small group lesson this same student was not familiar with the word windy such as...The windy road. We can't assume they know even what appears to us as the  simplest words.