Overview
We know how important it is for educators to work collaboratively, especially when it comes to focusing on their Multilingual Learner (MLL), or English Language Learner (ELL) population. Here at ANet we’re also learning and thinking about how to advocate for social justice and civil rights in light of an increasing cultural and linguistic diversity in the schools we serve. The resources below are a starting point for building a toolkit of holistic and equitable student support. To dig deeper, reach out to your ANet coach!
Develop an Expansive Mindset
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Resource |
Description |
Tips for Implementation |
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Language Magazine |
Language Magazine’s Pass the Mic series raises issues related to Race, English language teaching and learning. | Use this article as a starting point to launch a broader discussion about the role equity plays within your learning community. |
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Uncovering Strengths: Bilingualism for Middle School ELLs Transforming Education |
Blog post that reveals the importance of finding strengths within your MLL community. |
Read this blog as an adult learning community to set the foundation for an assets-based approach. |
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EL Community |
Collection of podcasts with current MLL topics. | For those who prefer to listen instead of read, try a podcast to help you stay engaged with racial and linguistic diversity issues. |
Learn about Second Language Development, Standards & Assessments
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Resource |
Description |
Tips for Implementation |
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State English Proficiency Assessments & Standards: |
Each state’s standards and assessments describing proficiency levels. | As a leader, reflect on how proficient your staff is in their understanding of English Language Proficiency. Find ways to stay “data-informed” and apply the data in meaningful ways. |
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US Department of Education |
Easy to digest demographic infographics, webinars, conferences, and other key resources for MLLs from the Dept. of Ed. |
Get granular with the data in your area to be an effective leader of a school with a large MLL population. Subscribe to NCELA’s newsletter to know when new data and resources are available. |
Support MLLs with Making Meaning of Complex Text
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Resource |
Description |
Tips for Implementation |
|---|---|---|
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Supporting ALL Learners with Complex Texts SAP |
Scaffolds and strategies for supporting vocabulary development and accessing complex text. | Grade-level teaching teams can pick one strategy to use across content areas to ensure a streamlined experience for students. |
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Understanding Language |
Academic article focusing on strategies for accessing complex texts, evidence-based writing, speaking and listening, and vocabulary development. |
Use this academic paper as an opportunity for teachers to ground in research during a PLC and implement learnings in their classroom. |
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Creating & Sequencing Text-Dependent Questions to Support ELLs SAP |
One strategy to support MLLs with accessing complex texts. | These strategies and supports can be implemented for all students within a close reading lesson. |
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Grade 4 ELA Reading Closely & Inferring the Mood RL.4.3, RL.4.1 EngageNY |
10 minute video that includes strategies such as sentence frames, repeated practice, real-world examples, and modeling during small group instruction. | Watch in a grade level meeting and discuss ways to apply these strategies to other reading and writing standards in an upcoming lesson. |
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Helping English Learners Find Their Voice Great Minds |
45 minute webinar focusing on how to effectively scaffold and support MLLs in accessing complex, knowledge-building texts. | Reflect: Are there opportunities to use visual art as a conversation anchor in your classroom? |
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A Resource Guide for Success in ELA for Teachers who Work with ELLs and Students with Disabilities American Federation of Teachers |
Guide including strategies and considerations regarding the CCSS shifts, a lesson planning template and exemplar. |
During a PLC, engage in a dialogue to gain a deeper understanding of the shifts and how they apply to MLLs and students with disabilities. |
Support MLLs’ Development of Mathematical Language
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Resource |
Description |
Tips for Implementation |
|---|---|---|
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Examples of Instructional Routines & Mathematics Language Routines SAP |
Evidence-based routines that allow MLLs to develop their language skills while simultaneously engaging in grade-level mathematics. | Use ANet’s guidance for each routine to learn more about each area. |
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Understanding Language |
Annotated CCSS aligned math tasks for elementary, middle, and high school. |
Pick a task at one grade level to see how language development is supported within a high-quality task. What supports can you include in an upcoming task? |
Learn Strategies to Support MLLs Language Development across Content Areas
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Resource |
Description |
Tips for Implementation |
|---|---|---|
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Compelling Digital Lessons for ELLs SAP |
Guidance on using the free WriteReader app to support MLLs. | Reflect: How might a digital glossary support MLL students in your classroom? What steps would it take to implement effectively? |
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Scaffolds to Support ELLs in Writing and Discussion SAP |
Strategies including sentence frames, signal words, and word banks. |
Reflect: How might these strategies support MLL students in your classroom? What steps would it take to implement effectively? |
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SAP |
Tool that helps identify high value words from academic texts, now featuring guidance on supporting MLLs. | Use this tool during close reading planning to ensure a focus on high-impact vocabulary development. |
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Using Content and Language Objectives to Help All Students in Their Learning SAP |
Strategies from an English Language Learner Specialist. | Read WIDA’s “Can-Do” Descriptors to help craft language objectives for the students in your classroom. |
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Bilingual Glossaries & Cognates NYSE |
ELA, math, science, and social studies glossaries in 30+ languages. | While these glossaries were developed as testing accommodations, instructional use is highly encouraged to build familiarity. |
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Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to ELLs in Elementary and Middle School Institute of Education Sciences |
Four recommendations that address what works for MLLs during reading and content area instruction. Includes activities, examples, and research. | Bring this research into professional learning settings to create a foundation for a strong MLL program across content areas. |
Evaluate Instructional Materials & Programs
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Resource |
Description |
Tips for Implementation |
|---|---|---|
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ELSF |
Tool with reflection questions to support schools in considering how engaged students are with instructional materials. | Divide these reflection questions across content teams to have a fuller picture of the way materials are serving (or not) your MLL population. |
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(ELA) A Framework for Raising Expectations and Instructional Rigor for ELLs Council of the Great City Schools
(Math) A Framework for Re-envisioning Mathematics Instruction for ELLs Council of the Great City Schools |
Criteria for schools to determine whether instructional materials are appropriate for MLLs and are consistent with standards. |
For ELA, start your evaluation with the non-negotiable criteria (on page 13) and move forward from there based on time. |
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ELSF
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Specific guidance for content development on key areas of English language development that must be embedded across a curricula, in units, and in lessons. | Explore these ELSF resources, including activities and scaffolds, aligned to the guidelines and systematically fold them into a comprehensive approach. |
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Creating Systemic Improvement Plans for MLLs Understanding Language |
Five part video series describing the components of creating a systemic improvement plan for MLLs. | District leaders can use these video series to help create, implement and make mid-course corrections on a plan that moves beyond just compliance to one that provides coherence for all educators. |
Start a Book Club
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And Justice for ELs– A Leader’s Guide to Creating and Sustaining Equitable Schools by Ayanna C. Cooper
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Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners by Sydney Cail Snyder & Diane Staehr Fenner (foreword by Ayanna Cooper)
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Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta L. Hammond
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Implementing Effective Instruction for English Language Learners: 12 Key Practices for Administrators, Teachers, and Leadership Teams by Suzanne Wagner & Tamara King
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Teacher Leadership for School-Wide English Learning by Michelle Benegas and Amy Stolpestad
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News updates, articles, book lists, videos and ideas from from Colorin Colorado
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