NEWSLETTER

Why Graphic Organizers Work works...

Chadwick International, February 2012

ESOL for teachers!

a focus on ..... Graphic Organizers

Popular Organizers at C.I.

Breaks the Material Into Chunks- Text or verbal information may too dense for ELLs to understand right away. Graphic Organizers allow the student to think about the parts of an idea, one step at a time.

Helps Understand the Genre- Different types of text use different structures. Using a graphic organizer to accompany reading or prepare for writing can help the student become more familar with the genre.

Something Tangible- Students can refer back to notes taken on an organizer while they are trying to remember key words or concepts. They can be used for review before assessments or during other assignments.

Ginger used a tree diagram to review and reflect on a unit. After a guided brainstorm of the unit's vocabulary, students wrote in the branches as many words as they knew, and could explain the meaning of. At the end they could see the tree fill up and feel proud of all the new words they had acquired.

Teacher Highlight: Ginger Puffer

Bill Blanton uses foldables such as the pyramid or the layered look book to guide students through scientific concepts.

Chris Brodie uses the Bubble Map for prewriting.

Mrs. Towers' students use a triangle map to illustrate the features of a news artcle.

Watch the Video!

Middle School Update

Elementary School Update

- In early December every Middle School student took the TOEFL Junior test, an all-day test involving reading, writing, and listening. There were 9 perfect scores! Our school average is 850 out of a possible 900 points; the average in Korea is around 750. Great job to the students and teachers who are working hard to raise English levels!

- This month's Grammar Banner topic is Subject Verb Agreeement. If you haven't yet, take a look at the main board at the top of the 2nd floor stairs. Each classroom has a bulletin board to display the grammar point and show examples.

- Connie and Vince with Ms. Towers are running an Exploratory called "How the West Was Won." They provide assistance with learning the current Grammar Banner point, test prep., review of material covered in classes, free writing in journals, ongoing reading assignments, and learning and enjoying English through "Dr. Who."

- All teachers are now involved in running Guided Reading Groups with a focus on vocabulary building and comprehension. - There is a special focus this trimester to improve Oral Language skills.- Mr. White's popular 3rd grade ESOL pullout class is learning the 6 Traits of Writing, oral reports and grammar review. - We are assisting teachers and students based on individual ESOL needs- We are always available to model or co-teach a type of lesson you would like to get experience with!- Many elementary teachers are attending the TESMC (Teaching English in the Mainstream Classroom) and finding it beneficial to their teaching. Keep up the great work!- Ms. Eckel is running a Community Program entitled, "What's Up World! to improve parent English levels through conversation on news topics.- Grade Levels will be receiving Grammar Banner Posters on Subject Verb Agreement wth links to mini-posters they can print out for their classrooms. Be sure to highlight this grammar point in student reading, speaking, and writing.

Useful Websites for Graphic OrganizersA Nice Collection of Elementary Oriented Organizershttp://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

Vocabulary Building Organizershttp://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/vocab_dev.htm

Online Interactive Organizers for Thinking Skillshttp://www.exploratree.org.uk/

Organizers related to the PYP Profiles and Attributes http://www.learnquebec.ca/en/content/curriculum_elem/personal_development/erc/-elem_cycle3/go_list.html#Plus%20Minus%20Interesting

Scan for these links!