Professional Learning Community (PLC) Update for the project English Learner Collaborations: Extending the Reach of Primary Sources
Guest post by Jacqueline LaFrance
January, 2023
PLC Update for EL Collaborations
Published on Mon, 01/23/2023
EL Students Spellbound Uncovering History
Published on Tue, 12/06/2022
Students Spellbound by Uncovering their School's Early History
English Learners' Questions Connect School with Neighbors
Guest post by Jaqueline LaFrance
This post appeared in edited form in the Daily Hampshire Gazette column Chalk Talk, on November 18, 2022.
Language-aware lesson example: Does the First Amendment say you can? (8th Grade)
Explore the First Amendment free speech rights
of students...through analysis of Supreme Court decisions.
Students will practice summarizing interpretations of Freedoms of Speech under
the First Amendment.
Teachers Talking Inclusion with Teachers
Published on Tue, 08/09/2022
Discussion that is always enlightening–sometimes challenging–between social studies teachers and teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education has been one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching Emerging America's Accessing graduate courses across the U.S. since 2016. Such opportunities are too rare.
Teachers Make Good Things Happen! Opportunities for Fall 2022
Published on Tue, 07/05/2022
Pilot curriculum, join a PLC, and more
Inclusion strategies can energize instruction for all learners and expand opportunities for them to make a difference in their communities. Tap these powerful support resources to explore new ideas and tools in your classroom.
English Learner Collaborations project to Teach the Language of Social Studies
Published on Mon, 10/04/2021
In a 10th grade classroom, a newly arrived student from Sudan, a returning student from a migrant worker family, and a student whose family came from Cambodia in the 1970s are among the 25 students in a US History class. These three students have been silent in all previous class discussions.Immigrant Stories: Why we came, and what we brought with us
In this lesson on the experiences and contributions of immigrants to the United States, elementary students explore the reasons why people have made life changes in moving to a new country, both earlier in history and recently, using primary sources and interviewing accessible adults.
Accessible English Learner Lesson Plan - Esperanza Rising & the Great Depression
Published on Tue, 10/01/2019
The novel Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, offers an immigrant story that can engage all students in themes of loss of home, fairness to workers, and struggle in new situations. It is available in Spanish (print and audio versions) as Esperanza renace. Set in the Great Depression, it is an entry point to historical inquiry, and the following lesson has been written with access for English Learners in mind.
Using Visual Primary Sources
Published on Tue, 10/01/2019
Visual Literacy: Making Lessons Accessible and Inclusive
Guest Blog Post by Wendy Harris, High School Social Studies & Teacher of the Blind at Metro Deaf School in St. Paul, Minnesota.
You want to get your students to work with primary sources, but you have students who struggle with reading English text. Maybe they have a learning disability, English is not their most comfortable language, or any number of other reasons. Sound familiar?
Bricks and Mortar Vocabulary for History lessons
Published on Mon, 06/03/2019
“As of last year, I started working with ELL students and have become far more cognizant of vocabulary. I’ve always taken for granted that students know certain vocabulary words, but now I find myself going over many words and to my surprise, it’s not just ELL kids who benefit from it!”
-Kevin, Spring 2019 Online Accessing Inquiry course participant