International Childrens's Digital Library

Supercalifragistic website: http://www.childrenslibrary.org/

Incredible resource worthy of any extra donations!

Happy 2008!

I got this great website today in an email. It has super ideas for beginning readers.

http://www.free-reading.net/index.php?title=Main_Page

Survival English for Newcomers

I believe "Survival English" are the words that everyone learning English needs to learn. I went to a conference in Scottsdale Arizona that motivated me to make an ordered list of words to make sure every child would learn these words. (If the English language learner is not a child, the words they need to learn may be different such as phonebook/busbook/drivers license/American History and Government.)

I like to have the students create their own dictionary. I give them a 3-columned page with lines on the left column and in the right column. The center column is for a sketch or picture. Anyone can be actively working on their dictionary. A buddy can write the English word and they can write their word (if they cannot write their word, sound it out so an English speaker can read it and you will see the biggest grin when their cohort is speaking their language). I have used this from a K Marshalese to 5h grade Vietnamese students and know it works.

Here is a list of topics so you can create your own list: color, numbers, letters, classroom directions (use TPR to show what you mean), classroom objects, bathroom, school words, clothing, kitchen, food, calendar (days, weeks, month, seasons, time) and neighborhood words. Please find out if there are any dietary restrictions and help them with food choices.... no pork= no pepperoni on pizza etc. If necessary, you can buy a pre-Kinder or a Kinder workbook for them to do work. They will learn cutting, pasting, sequencing and other skills that normally would be taught in a preschool.

I also put a copy of this list into a newcomer tutor log book. If you can get a volunteer to help them, they can intial and date when they taught a skill. Then you will know, and the next person who comes to help, where they can review and what skill will be new.

Do you have any suggestions that could help others? Email me:margerywebbAThotmail.com (replace the AT with @)

(replace at with @)

Computer Programs for English Language Users

I am familiar with the following programs that can help students. What programs do you know that help teach English? (I'm really hoping that the ELL funding will purchase language learning software for our kids!) If I had a blank check, I'd buy Tabs+ and Kidspiration.

1. Tabs + (great for showing concepts and identifying nonverbally gifted ESL students)
http://www.knowledgetree.ca/index.php/main/products_more/aspex_tabs/


2. Kidspiration (lots of clipart, create graphic organizers, and shows concepts) http://www.kidspiration.com/productinfo/kidspiration/index.cfm

45 day demo http://www.inspiration.com/freetrial/index.cfm

3. TESOL Journal’s computer list (lots of free ware here, if you are allowed to download)
http://iteslj.org/links/TESL/CALL/ and check out Deborah Healey’s TESOL list at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/eli/softlist/

4. Rosetta Stone (NCLB recommends but does not fund!) http://www2.rosettastone.com/en/education/esl

5+ Who uses or has experience with other language learning software or software that can demonstrate learning in non-verbal ways (good for English learners!) Please help!

MEC Conference at ASU

I have been to more than 10 of these microcomputers in Education conferences and have always found new and exciting resources to use in the classroom. I am particularly interested in classroom applications for language learners. If you go to vendor sessions you may win software. Take your business cards with you and or address labels for drawings. I've won lots of software, get demos of other software. If you are interested, I will send you a copy of my gleanings. I do this every year to keep track of who spoke, how to contact them, websites etc.
For more information on this conference that runs during WESD's spring break: If we can get a large group together, we can get a discount.

http://mec.asu.edu/mec/

A Prioritized List of my favorite print sources

More Sight word stories: 57 Reproducible Books for Beginning Readers (Lapin, & Radtke) by Fearon [every teacher with newcomers should be given this book]

Let’s Read Reading for Achievement by Options Publishing http://www.optionspublishing.com/product_info.php?skillid=22&productid=16

Learning Page.com (Reading A-z.com $30 per year) some are free [I'm hoping our school can get a site license for this website with English Language Learner State Funding]

Oxford Content Area Picture Dictionary Program by Oxford University Press

Literature Pockets Series by Evan Moor

Read and Understand series by Evan Moor

Reading Comprehension series by Kelly Wingate

Reading for Understanding: Series by Carson Delarosa

Write 1/Writer’s Express Series by Great Source (Houghton Mifflin)

Let's Read Together series by Nasco [Hilarious Phonics Tongue twisting Readers]

Math at Hand series by Great Source (Houghton Mifflin)

Sciencesaurus series by Great Source(Houghton Mifflin)

Adult Language Learners

Professional adults coming to America need to learn basic English as well as technical language for their speciality. I found a curriculum unit online in Australia for Engineers. They were glad to share the unit for one of my Romanian friends. At an Arizona Esl conference I met Radu, another Romanian who assisted my friends in getting their college degrees accredited in America. Networking is what it is all about!

My Experience with Newcomers

I've had many newcomers in my class from countries such as Bosnia, Sudan, Somalia, Afganistan, Cuba and Mexico. Since I grew up overseas, I know what it is like to not be able to read the words and have to learn a new culture. My purpose for this blog is to help others and share strategies so the students will be learning throughout the day. I've been taking ESL classes for 5 years and have gone to conferences that helped me create a newcomer packet that I've shared with my school. I've gone to many microcomputer in education conferences at ASU, trying to increase technology learning for my school. It is my hope in this blog, we can help others, and stay current with great free online resources. If you want to join this blog, and you are an expert or a newbie, please write in the comment field and I will send you a invite. I welcome all who want to help our newcomers. Click and email me in the comment box!