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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Stick Up For Your English Language Learners!


We all pull sticks to call on our students in kindergarten. They love when their name is pulled and allows them an opportunity to speak (even when they have nothing to say). I use this management tool a little differently in my classroom and it has really helped me as a teacher. I color code them by their language level. So red might mean the student is a Beginner and blue is for an Early Intermediate, etc. Why is this such a great idea? It forces me to remember that all students need an opportunity to talk but my more limited English children need lots of practice.
After students have modeled appropriate responses I pull a stick that is color coded for my ELL's and I know that I am providing them with important speaking time. On the back of the can I made labels for my coding just so a substitute will be able to use this effectively too! This is such an easy way to differentiate.
Notice that I used labels for their names and colored the tips of the sticks with different colors, using markers. The can came from Target dollar spot and this took very little time to put together. Do you use this management strategy or do you like something else better?

10 comments:

Kerri Buckner said...

I love this tip. I had forgotten about it after I saw it on your kindergarten expo presentation. I'm going to have to remember this as the school year starts up!
Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten

Lisa R. said...

What a wonderful idea!! I've used the popsicle sticks before, but never thought about color coding them for ESL students. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure

Tanya Solano said...

I do pull sticks - but I love, love, LOVE the idea to code for language level! Going to fetch my markers now....thanks for the tip!
❤Tanya
Ms. Solano's Kindergarten

Learning with Mrs. Parker said...

I love this! Thanks for this great teaching tip.

Unknown said...

This is a great tip! My school is generally 90% ELL and this helps me differentiate their levels :)

Unknown said...

I can't tell you how much I love this idea. So meaningfully done. I really wanted to become an ELL teacher before I fell into into first grade. My school has a very small ELL population but I will be sharing this idea out on my blog because I know so many others who could benefit their kids by bringing it into their classroom!!

❤ -Stephanie
Falling Into First

Julie said...

Love the idea! My kinder class is filled with ELLs so what a fabulous idea. I may have to share that with other teachers in my school!

Annie Moffatt said...

You are brilliant!!

Sandy said...

What a brilliant idea!!! It's one of those, "Why didn't I think of that!?!" ideas! Thanks Fran! :-)

Traci Clausen said...

Awesome idea! Pinning and stealing it. :D