[MOSAIC] ELL

[Sarah Griffith Cartmill]

Donna,
I reallly appreciate this thread that you started. I am a graduate student 
at Syracuse University. Although my degree will be for a Reading Specialist 
position, this is helpful as I'm not sure what kind of set up a school will 
have that I may work in next fall. As far as the ELL resources, they really 
struck up interest for me since I have a Spanish certificate as well. I 
think for me, incorporating strategies between the two areas is feasible and 
of interest.

Having said that, are there people like you in your middle or high schools 
that may do the same thing with the "Making Sense" and "Moving into English" 
books? I am going to be in a middle/high school setting; although I feel 
these strategies carry through to all levels, I'd be interested to see if 
they're similar for older students.

Thank you again for all of your insight. Feel free to e-mail me directly 
with links, resources and such at griffo11 at hotmail.com

Sarah G. Cartmill

Hi All
I am an ESL teacher in a school in PA.  My school has approximately 40% 
ELL's
and our students come from all over the world.  Our ELL's stay in their
classroom for all subjects, except language arts.  I see my students during
their entire language arts block.  Our district uses the Harcourt Trophies
program.  I use the program coupled with many other things.  I do teach my
children reading strategies based on Mosaic of Thought, Strategies That Work
etc.

I scaffold a lot of my instruction, build a lot of background and go at a 
much
slower pace than the classroom.  I teach a balanced literacy program 
focusing on
all aspects of language arts.  When beginners come in the goal is to 
increase
their vocabulary and oral language.  I use "Moving Into English" by Harcourt 
and
vocabulary builders.

One resource that may help you a lot is Julie Kendall's book titled "Making
Sense."  It is written specifically for ELL's.  I use a lot of the 
selections
that she recommends in the book and create anchor charts based on her book.  
You
can access her book below from the Stenhouse publishers.  My students love 
to
hear literature read to them about their cultures.  I try to find books that
they can relate to.  You can access Julie's book at the link below.  I call 
her
book the "Strategies That Work for ELL's" Feel free to email me off the list 
and
I would be happy to even call you to talk.
http://www.stenhouse.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=60&idproduct=8949

Donna
ESL teacher
Hatfield Elementary School
Hatfield, PA

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