Does a child need to have English language skills before participating in reading workshop? No! If you have worked with Non-English Speaking students and worried about what to do with them while they learn basic language and speaking skills, this presentation is for you! Learn how you can welcome NES students into your reading community immediately, find resources that level the playing field, and leverage the entire classroom community to foster social language skills. Drawing on our own classroom experiences teaching NES students in a general education and leading a direct service ELD program, we will share success stories and tips for reaching every learner - and staying sane while doing it! (Originally presented at the Michigan Reading Association 2017 Annual Conference)

1. FirstThingsFirst
Welcoming Non-English Speakers into the
Reading Community
Emily Freeman
efreeman@troy.k12.mi.us
@emmytbots
Lisa Georges
lgeorges@troy.k12.mi.us
@lgeorges7

2. Troy :
ACityWith
A Diverse
Population
 A suburb of southeast Detroit
 12 elementary schools, 4 middleschools, and 4 highschools
 Most schools are locatedwithin subdivisionsand
have considerablesupport from the communityandparents
 A city with one of the largest immigrant populationsin thestate
 An upper – middleclass socioeconomicpopulation
 Over 76 languagesspoken
 25% of our elementarystudents are ACTIVE ELD students

3. WelcometoSecond
Grade!
A year in my classroomwithfourNon-EnglishSpeakers

4. In the beginning...
They won't be able to do
anything!
What am I supposed to do with
them all day?
They're going to need me
constantly!
How can I teach them to read if
they can't even speak?

5. FourStrategies
That
(Accidentally)
SavedOur
Year!
Turn andTalk
Partners Wordless Books
Epic! Books For KidsPoetry

6. Turn andTalk
Partners
Always pair with two other
students
Train students
Social language immersion
Access to classroom routines
Build collaborative culture

7. Wordless Books
Fill book bins right away, before
English is needed
Model with entire class how to read
Focus on literacy behaviors
Classroom expectations and
routines
https://youtu.be/5rKiOfzb1ts

8. Poetry
Can be short
No grammar necessary!
Patterns, repetitions,
vocabulary
Freedom to play with language
Share and shine with the class
Routines and expectations
Music,
music
I love music
La!
by Sherry

9. Epic! Books for
Kids app
Series book clubs
"Read to me" function
Listen/read on own,discuss in
group
Routines and expectations
Social language development
Low-pressure peer group

10. In the end...

11. TheELD
Department...Whatdo
theydo?
A resourcefor thechild,family andYOU!

12. Language
Acquisition
Fast Facts
 BICS – Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills
 1-2years
 CALP - Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
 5-8 years

13. Where do
WE begin?
Teachers
Administrators
Students
Parents
SchoolVisit PrepareYourself and
Your Class
BuddiesClassroom Routines

14. What canYOU do to
prepare for a NES
child that will
certainly be
overwhelmed?
Turn andShare

15. Setting them
up for success!

16. Cultural awareness
& connections...more
than justa good time

17. Literacy in the
beginning....
Reading and Phonics Writing and Vocabulary

18. Technology:
Friend or Foe?
Friend
 Tabletsandor computers are
a valuablelearningresource
 Previewing
 Listening/speaking
 Educational apps
 Translating help
 Brain Break
 A medium to share what a
childknows
Foe
 Limit use (includingwith
partners or groups)
 Don't allowit to become a
crutch
 Directlyteach and
model responsible tech
behavior
Resources: Kids A-Z, Brain POP ESL, SpellingCity,Starfall, Sentence
Builder,Theme Poems and MANY MORE!

20. Thankyou for coming!
Emily Freeman
efreeman@troy.k12.mi.us
@emmytbots
LisaGeorges
lgeorges@troy.k12.mi.us
@lgeorges7