Classroom Spotlight- Guest Reader

Developing Literacy Accross Curriculumns for ELL Students 

By Diana Reid

Many of our learners have different language backgrounds and educational abilities.  As time progresses, I have seen a pattern.  Some students, who seem to have a learning disability, are actually still in transition learning a language.  Fortunately, Spartanburg District Six provides a translator following IDEA’s federal regulations.  Students are tested in native language.  To improve my skills to serve ELL students, I have been participating in a linguistics class.  Since majority of our text addresses elementary age children, I started doing research to see if my strategies are following Best Practices.  The link has assured and motivated me to continue to develop a classroom that integrates curriculum and is effective in developing successful learners regardless of language or educational disabilities.  After visiting the link, you will see why I developed the students’ background knowledge with a number song in Spanish.  Our guest reader was Karen Torrez, who is a Spanish translator at our school receptionist desk.  The children have been read The Very Hungry Caterpillar in class.  Mrs. Torrez read aloud in Spanish to both classes that have Spanish speaking homes.  The following web site recommends having students make connections to written words and text.  Attempting to do this in Spanish creates a respectful and educationally appropriate environment.  

Li🎶 😊 Spanish Number Song 😊 Spanish Counting Song 1-10, Spanish song for counting to ten by Miss Rosink

http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/8-strategies-preschool-ells-language-and-literacy-developmen