Helping English Language Learners Succeed!

Outreach Resources for ELL Educators

Presenters: Lydia Breiseth, WETALBreiseth@weta.com

Ginny ThomasDallas, TX

The American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, represents nearly 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, 43 state affiliates, and more than 1.4 million members.

WETA is a community-based public broadcasting TV and radio station serving the Washington, DC area.

ColorinColorado.org is a bilingual website offering free resources to educators and parents of English language learners (ELLs).

What do you think the different shades represent?

Language Needs of School-Age ChildrenRobert A. Kominski and Hyon B. Shin, U.S. Census Bureau; Karen Marotz, SUNY AlbanyRetrieved from U.S. Census Website.http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/paa2008/Language-Needs-of-School-Age-Children-PAA-2008.pdf

The Growing Need for Resources to Help ELL Students

Over the past 15 years, ELL student enrollment has nearly doubled.

The Face of America

• Nearly 80% of the five million ELLs enrolled in Schools are Spanish-speaking Latinos.

• The U.S. Census Bureau projects by 2050:– the Hispanic school-age population will increase by 166% – the non-Hispanic school-age population will increase by 4%.*

*Pew Hispanic Center, 2008.

Challenges Facing ELLs

Achievement GapLess Academically Challenging and

College Preparatory CourseworkLack of Access to Specialized and

Content InstructionCommunication/Information Barrier for

FamiliesIncreased Family Responsibilities

Why is the AFT so concerned with this issue?

ELLs still tend to be concentrated in urban school districts such as: • Boston• Corpus Christi• Houston• Hartford• Los Angeles• New York City• Miami• San Antonio

And rapidly growing in smaller cities like:

• Hammond, IN• Dalton, GA• Durham, NC

Photo credit: George Tuley, American Teacher, Oct/Nov 2009

Questions from Teachers

• Does it help if my ELLs know how to read in Spanish?

• I have a variety of levels in my ESL class. How do I differentiate instruction?

• Do you have any strategies for teaching ELLs word problems?

• How can I communicate with parents who do not speak English?

ColorinColorado.org was successful in providing great information for parents, but we knew something was missing…

Information for educators!

So, the Reading Rockets Project of PBS Station WETA and AFT decided to collaborate to create practical, online, research-based information for educators on how to teach English Language Learners to read, learn, and succeed in the classroom…

It was the start of a beautiful partnership!

Why is it called Colorín Colorado?

Most Spanish-speakers recognize the playful phrase “colorín colorado” from the verse that many children and adults say after reading or sharing a story: “¡Y colorín, colorado, este cuento se ha acabado! ” (This story has ended!)

Those who grew up speaking Spanish often smile when they hear the name of our site, because the verse brings back happy memories of childhood for people of all ages.

Educator Resources• Research-Based Articles• Tip Sheets• Research Reports• Multimedia Professional Development Tools• Recommended Websites• Bilingual Booklists• Monthly Newsletters• FAQs from Other Educators• Parent Outreach Materials

English/Spanish Cognates

Cognates are words in two languages that have a similar meaning, spelling, and pronunciation.

30-40% of all words in English have a Spanish cognate.

Colorín Colorado provides a number of resources and activities to help you use cognates as a bridge for your ELLs, including a list of more than 300 English/Spanish cognates.

Reading Highlights

• Reading 101 for ELLs

• Articles focused on Vocabulary, Fluency, etc.

• Reading Instruction by Grade (PreK-12)

• Teacher Tip Sheets for Grades 4-12

• Webcasts such as: “Teaching ELLs to Read”

• Latino/Multicultural Literacy Development

Research-based,

ready-to-read articles about ELL reading instruction

Content Resources• Math: Reading and Understanding Written

Math Problems

• Science: Using Science to Develop ELLs' Language Skills

• Social Studies: Using Timelines to Enhance Comprehension

Making research accessible:

Our growing collection of research and

reports brings you the latest news from the

ELL field!

Reaching Out to Hispanic Students and Families

New Booklist Themes • Snow, Snow, Snow!

• Reading with Dads

• Every Day Is Grandparents’ Day!

• Migrant Stories

• Beach Stories

• Poems for Everyone

• Latina Heroines

• Fun at the Library

Webcast Titles• Intro to Middle and High School ELLs• ELLs and Academic Language• ELLs and Learning Disabilities• Assessment of English Language Learners • Comprehension: Helping ELLs Grasp the Full Picture • English Language Learners in Middle and High School • Reading to Learn: ELLs in Grades 4-6 • Teaching English Language

Learners to Read

Watch video clips from Becoming Bilingual, hosted by Rita Moreno!

Other Resources for Educators on

Colorín Colorado

ELL Starter Kit for Educators:Tools for Monitoring Language Skills (available for download)

Including:•Overall Language Performance•Oral Communication Skills•Reading Skills•Fluency Skills•Use of Comprehension Strategies

Other Helpful Resources:•Common Classroom Phrases•Cognates•Recommended Bilingual Books•Reading Tips for Parents (PK-3)

Parent Outreach Toolkit

•Provides useful information about Latino cultures and values

• Provides helpful suggestions for involving parents in the classroom

• Includes actual parent workshops with video components in English and Spanish that focus on preK-3 literacy development. Bonus video clip focusing on pre-adolescent ELL literacy issues

• Includes handouts - just copy and share!

• All is available and downloadable online!

FREE Monthly E-newsletterFor Educators Featuring:

News from the ELL Field

ELL Strategies

Books and Authors

Recommended Resources

New Research Reports

Resources for Paraprofessionals

• Reading strategies

• Content-area strategies

• Tips for working with parents

• ELL college resources

How Can Parents Use Colorín Colorado?• Bilingual (Spanish/English) information on how to

help their children read and succeed in school• A monthly Spanish-language newsletter about

reading and the U.S. educational system• Bilingual online video about reading• Bilingual children’s book recommendations

Boletín informativo sobre la lectura

FREE Spanish language newsletterfor parents

…With a summary in English so educators

can pick articles to share with their

students’ parents!

Includes information about reading and helping children

succeed in school

Multilingual Reading Tips for Parents

Colorín Colorado & Parent Involvement

Large-Scale Events

Back-to-School Night

Parent/Teacher Conferences

After School Programs

Parent Workshops Newsletters

Literacy Workshops

E-Mail Updates Small Group Presentations

How to Use Colorín Colorado for Staff Professional Development

Here are some ideas!

Staff Training & Orientation

Faculty Meetings

Newsletters and E-Mail

Conferences and Conventions

Grade-Level and Department Meetings

Book Club

How you can help spread the word:

Tell your colleagues about it! Join us on Facebook, Twitter, or Ning! Hold a workshop or event at your school or center. Incorporate Colorín Colorado into an already-existing

professional development program. Post a link on your school, school district, or

departmental website. Send a mass email via your school, union, school

district, or other professional association groups. Spread the word to parents - they can access the site

in Spanish!

WETA Learning Media Websites

Thank you!