LIFT ELs -Fall '26-
SW*MELL Learning & Insight for Teachers of English Learners
How can we help ELs to persist toward their goals for the future and feel capable of that achievement? We can help students see themselves as independent learners.
Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: Promoting authentic engagement and rigor among culurally and linguistically diverse students highlights strategies for cultivating a hopeful academic mindset. Teachers and students develop a learning partnership when they share a trusting relationship characterized by rapport, affirmation, and validation.
Once trust and respect are established, educators can go on to encourage students to view mistakes as valuable information for growth, nurture effective thinking routines, and challenge students to persevere using wise actionable feedback.
This mindset shift starts with us. We serve as "merchants of hope", coaching students toward resilience and a hopeful future. Our belief in their capabilities cultivates their belief in themselves.
Scholastic StoryVoice
Ditch That Textbook
This article in ditchthattextbook.com discusses how Google Gemini can help offer feedback for student writing. He asks Gemini to identify patterns in errors so he can adapt instruction accordingly. HERE is the article. (Scroll down to "The Big Idea".)
ELLLO - English Listening Lesson Library Online
Don't forget to practice LISTENING! elllo.org offers topical lessons that feature real conversations about topics students can engage with. The videos include a vocab and grammar focus, a transcript, and a quiz. The site uses the CEFR scale so you may use this linking chart from WIDA to align English proficiency levels.
SW*MELL Meet Ups
In person on Fridays in Springfield - MSU and Joplin.
Find your topic and bring your colleagues.
Register on Frontline/My Learning Plan.
Quarterly Virtual Q&A
Do you have a question or situation that you'd like to discuss with colleagues? Join this friendly chat at 3pm once a quarter. You pick the topic.
Register on Frontline/My Learning Plan.
MO ELD (English Language Development)
ALSO, visit Missouri's ELD webpage to explore excellent resources from first day language screening to graduation requirements.
HERE is a You Tube Read Aloud for the book, Let's Celebrate: Special Days around the World.
Contact me - Rhonda Hittenberger Ortiz
Instructional Specialist - Missouri English Language Learners
Image created with Google Edit Image feature.
Email: rhittenbergerortiz@missouristate.edu
Website: https://education.missouristate.edu/ATLL/default.htm
Location: Missouri State University, South National Avenue, Springfield, MO, USA
Phone: 417-836-4093
Facebook: facebook.com/MELLinMissouri
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rhittenbergerortiz