Learning As We Go

 Using graphic organizers for ELL students has many benefits. Graphic organizers help to visually organize information using a minimum number of words, therefore creating a representation of only the most critical information. The following website provides ideas on how to use graphic organizers in an ESL classroom. Graphic Organizers Article Many of the strategies that help ELL students learn are also best practice strategies for all the other students in our classrooms. This website outlines twelve different strategies to help not only our ELL students, but all students, to be successful.   12 Ways to Support English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom It is very important that all staff members speak a shared language about how ELL students are taught. This is where the school administrator comes into play. Making sure that all staff members are educated on best practice strategies for their ELL students will help to ensure that they will be successful.

 Parents know their children best. As educators, we also need to know our students as much as possible. When we build a strong relationship with parents, we put ourselves in the best position to give our students the most from their education. The following website gives several ideas to help build this positive relationship.    Building Relationships The combination of parental love and a devoted teacher can make a monumental difference in our students' lives. Collaborative communities can be built around these children, significantly increasing their chances for success.  One of the school administrator's main jobs is to create a sense of community. This may begin with his/her staff, but it reaches much further, with students and their families. The above videos address how we can build these essential relationships.

 As we educate our students, it is important that we don't squander their creativity. This year we will focus on project-based learning, in which students will be able to apply and show what they learned in a variety of creative ways. This video helps to demonstrate the importance of creativity. So, how do we get started promoting creativity in our classrooms? Incorporating STEM education into our curriculums can seem overwhelming. This video helps break it down while keeping it simple! Although many districts require their teachers to use "boxed" curriculums, it is important for school administrators to let their staff know that they can still be creative in how they present the curriculum. The videos above help encourage not only the students to be creative, but also the teachers.