Modifying Worksheets, Study Materials, Essays and Tests

for ELL Students by Christine Scheid

WORKSHEETS

• Highlight Options

• Underline clues

WORKSHEETS

• Eliminate choices

WORKSHEETS

• Shorten length

WORKSHEETS

1) Use chapter questions or comprehension check questions from teacher’s manual

STUDY MATERIALS

• Use books on tape and recordings that accompany content reading

STUDY MATERIALS

• Make your own recordings of books and content reading

Who can do this? Students Volunteers Family members

STUDY MATERIALS

• How is it done?

Speak slowly Use music Commercially

produced is less effective

STUDY MATERIALS

• Visit this site:

www.littleexplorers.com

• Dictionary quizzes Graphic organizers Vocabulary maps Alternative worksheets

TESTS

• Give tests orally

Arrange for a bilingual student/parent to interpret oral test

TESTS

• Simplify the language you use in the directions and test questions.

Eliminate words Give straightforward

commands

TESTS

• Offer writing prompts or cloze versions of essays.

TESTS

• Encourage use of the index and pictures in the book.

• Put page #s next to the question.

TESTS

• Test/grade only the specific skill or concept – don’t test language

TESTS

1) It’s not a crime to…• Give clues.• Recast the question to allow for multiple choice or

yes/no answers. • Divide word bank portions into 2 smaller sections.• Tailor the test to your student’s acquisition level.

Helpful Websites for Vocabularywww.Googleimage.com

www.unitedstreaming.com

www.littleexplorers.com

http://www.vocabularya-z.com/Has a vocabulary lesson generator. Sign up for a free trial month.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htmMany useful interactive websites for different skills by grade level. http://www.vocabulary.com

http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/maggie_science.htmHas games labeling science vocabulary.  http://www.brainpop.comThis site features comic videos explaining different topics.   

Useful Resources

• The More-Than-Just-Surviving Handbook: ESL for Every Classroom Teacher, Barbara Law and Mary Eckes.

• Meeting the Needs of Second Language Learners: An Educator’s Guide, Judith Lessow-Hurley.

• Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL: A Resource book for K-12 Teachers, Suzanne F. Peregoy and Owen F. Boyle.

• Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners, Jane D. Hill and Kathleen M. Flynn.

• “What Can You Do to Help the ELL in Your Classroom? Effective Classroom Strategies,” handbook compiled by Melissa Moe, CESA #11.