[MOSAIC] low test scores and NCLB and ELL

[Tracy Bottrill]

I applaud Olga for sticking to what she believes is the right kind of 
teaching for first graders who only speak English and for English Language 
Learners.  Almost every six year old needs to be in an environment that is 
rich in hands-on-activities and oral language activities.  While Reading 
First Schools do a great job in providing direct and systematic instruction, 
they are not educating the "whole" child.  These children are missing out on 
the opportunity to explore different genres of literature and thematic 
instruction that will give them the background knowledge to eventually do 
well on future standardized tests.
I teach first grade in an inner-city school in Upsate New York.  We are not 
a Reading First School , but we do have a very high population of ELL.  It 
seems easier for young ELL to adapt quickly to their surroundings and catch 
on quickly in all subject areas.  I'm concerned with the intermediate 
population of ELL.  Does anyone have any strategies that are working for 
their ELL population? I have colleagues that are extremely frustrtated on 
how to provide meaningful instruction to these children.