Modifying Worksheets, Study Materials, Essays and Tests for ELL Students by Christine Scheid

WORKSHEETS Highlight Options Underline clues

WORKSHEETS Eliminate choices

WORKSHEETS Shorten length

WORKSHEETS 1)Use chapter questions or comprehension check questions from teacher’s manual

STUDY MATERIALS Use books on tape and recordings that accompany content reading

STUDY MATERIALS Make your own recordings of books and content reading Who can do this?  Students  Volunteers  Family members

STUDY MATERIALS How is it done?  Speak slowly  Use music  Commercially produced is less effective

STUDY MATERIALS Visit this site: Dictionary quizzes  Graphic organizers  Vocabulary maps  Alternative worksheets

TESTS Give tests orally  Arrange for a bilingual student/parent to interpret oral test

TESTS Simplify the language you use in the directions and test questions.  Eliminate words  Give straightforward commands

TESTS Offer writing prompts or cloze versions of essays.

TESTS Encourage use of the index and pictures in the book. Put page #s next to the question.

TESTS Test/grade only the specific skill or concept – don’t test language

TESTS 1)It’s not a crime to… Give clues. Recast the question to allow for multiple choice or yes/no answers. Divide word bank portions into 2 smaller sections. Tailor the test to your student’s acquisition level.

Helpful Websites for Vocabulary Has a vocabulary lesson generator. Sign up for a free trial month. Many useful interactive websites for different skills by grade level. Has games labeling science vocabulary. This site features comic videos explaining different topics.

Useful Resources The More-Than-Just-Surviving Handbook: ESL for Every Classroom Teacher, Barbara Law and Mary Eckes. Meeting the Needs of Second Language Learners: An Educator’s Guide, Judith Lessow-Hurley. Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL: A Resource book for K-12 Teachers, Suzanne F. Peregoy and Owen F. Boyle. Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners, Jane D. Hill and Kathleen M. Flynn. “What Can You Do to Help the ELL in Your Classroom? Effective Classroom Strategies,” handbook compiled by Melissa Moe, CESA #11.