Balanced Literacy and The ESL Teacher

Susan BrownELL Specialist

What do you know about balanced literacy?

Take five minutes to discuss at your table.

Summarize and record your key ideas.

Share with the group.

15 minutes total

KWL

Read AloudShared ReadingIndependent ReadingSmall Group Reading

Shared WritingInteractive Writing Independent WritingSmall Group Writing

Word Study

Components of a Balanced LiteracyProgram

Writing Mini-Lesson: 10-15 minutes Independent Writing: 40 minutes Sharing: 3-5 minutes Shared Writing: 10-15 minutes ( Can occur

during any content area subject) Interactive Writing: 10-15 minutes (Can be

used with a large or small group)

Components of Writing in a Balanced Literacy Program

How can the ESL teacher complement the classroom teacher during the Writing component of a balanced literacy classroom?

Writing: Mini-Lesson

If the ESL teacher is co-teaching, she can do a mini-lessons with the classroom teacher.

Independent Writing

The ESL teacher can work with a small group during independent writing to do shared writing or interactive writing.

Independent Writing

The ESL teacher can confer with individual students during independent writing time.

Build background for the writing. Create a work bank to scaffold the student. Provide resources to help the student such

as thesaurus, picture dictionary, etc. Allow the student to orally rehearse what he

plans to write.

Ways to Support ESL Students During Independent Writing

Read Aloud (May occur anytime during the day)

Reading Mini-Lesson: 10-12 minutes Independent Reading: 40 minutes Guided Reading: 10-20 minutes Shared Reading: 10-12 minutes ( May occur

during science, social studies, or in a small group)

Components of Reading in a Balanced Literacy Program

How can the ESL teacher complement the classroom teacher during the Reading component of a balanced literacy classroom?

Reading Mini-Lesson

If the ESL teacher is co-teaching, she may do a mini-lesson with the classroom teacher.

Independent Reading

The ESL teacher may work with a small group of students to do guided reading, shared reading, or a strategy group.

Independent Reading

The ESL teacher may confer with individual students during independent reading time.

Word Work or Word Study is a time for students to work on phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary. The ESL teacher may be asked to use a specific program. The ESL teacher can use strategies that are helpful to ELLs while implementing the program.

Word Work or Word Study can occur during small group instruction of reading or writing as well.

Word Work

Planning with the classroom teacher. Shared responsibility of students. Strategic scheduling that allows the ESL

teacher to meet the needs of ELLs. Training in the Balanced Literacy Model. Providing intentional language instruction using SIOP strategies.

Keys to Successful ESL Instruction during a Balanced Literacy Program

Co-Teaching

How can you establish a relationship with the classroom teacher?

Sarah Lang will share her experience with co-teaching as a classroom teacher.

Place all of your concerns on the Hot Topics Poster.

Please put your name on the back and we will get back to you.

Hop Topics

Thank you and if you have any questions contact: Susan Brown at susan.brown@cms.k12.nc.us