1. Supporting English Language Learners in Elementary Classrooms
Co-teaching with mainstream classroom teachers
Ann Thorup- Program Consultant, English Language Learners
Kathie Nakano, ESL Assessment and Helping Teacher
blogs.sd41.bc.ca/ell

2. Agenda for Feb.24 Welcome – Housekeeping issues Review of last meeting
How to Manage a Co-teaching Situation
Co-teaching strategies (sharing)
Reflections and Goals (What next?)

3. ELL websites
blogs.sd41.bc.ca/ell
bctesol.ca
bcteal.org

4. Review of Last Meeting
Refer to handout

5. How to manage a co-teaching situation
Choose one teacher with whom you could collaborate and co-teach
Get to know colleagues who seem to have teaching philosophies similar to yours
Decide who is most likely to work with you

6. How to manage a co-teaching situation
2. Start small while considering the BIG picture
Identify one or two major goals and objectives
Have realistic expectations for yourself and your colleagues
Share a favourite lesson plan or a sure-fire activity
Share a very effective resource only you have access to
Offer to teach the first lesson
Content goal
Language Goal
Resources and
Materials
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

7. How to manage a co-teaching situation
3. Begin with a simple dialogue among teachers
Take an informal step toward discussing ELLs’ needs
Follow up with some great resources

8. How to manage a co-teaching situation
4. Think creatively
Look for “found time” for planning
Explore electronic means of communication

9. Teacher Activities during Co-teaching
When the classroom teacher is doing this…
The ELL teacher is doing this…
Benefits of Collaboration
Taking attendance
Collecting or reviewing homework or introducing or reviewing a social or study skill
Instruction time is increased. Skills-based instruction is integrated into lessons.
Distributing papers or other resources
Reviewing directions or rules or modeling the first problem in the assignment
Instruction time is increased. Examples promote student understanding.
Presenting information through lecture or media (PowerPoint, video, or audio clip)
Writing down instructions on the board or overhead or repeating or clarifying any difficult concept
Content is accessible for all students. Strong connections are made between new and previously learned content. Student understanding is facilitated.

10. Teacher Activities during Co-teaching
When the classroom teacher is doing this…
The ELL teacher is doing this…
Benefits of Collaboration
Giving instructions orally
Writing down instructions on the board or overhead or repeating or clarifying any difficult concept
Content is accessible for all students.
Checking for understanding with large heterogeneous groups of students
Checking for understanding with small, homogeneous groups
Reteaching can occur without delay.
Circulating; providing one-on-one support as needed
Providing direct instruction to ELLs one-to-one or in small groups
Learning is not merely incidental.
Prepping half the class for one side of a debate
Prepping ELLs for the opposing side of the debate
Instruction time and student engagement are increased.

11. Teacher Activities during Co-teaching
When the classroom teacher is doing this…
The ELL teacher is doing this…
Benefits of Collaboration
Facilitating independent, silent work
Circulating and checking for comprehension
Reteaching can occur without delay.
Providing large-group instruction
Circulating, clarifying key concepts or cultural information
Culturally challenging information is made understandable.
Monitoring the large group as students work on practice material
Preteaching or reteaching challenging concepts to a small group of ELLs
Student language learning is enhances
Facilitating sustained silent reading
Reading aloud quietly with a small group or previewing upcoming information
Students are exposed to or internalize language structure they will need to apply to independent reading.

12. Teacher Activities during Co-teaching
When the classroom teacher is doing this…
The ELL teacher is doing this…
Benefits of Collaboration
Creating basic lesson plans for standards, objectives, and content curriculum
Providing suggestions for language objectives, scaffolding activities, adapting instructional materials
Students needs are met through differentiated instruction. Lessons are created to meet the needs of student subgroups.
Facilitating stations or groups
Facilitating other stations or groups
Instructional materials can be tailored to the needs of ELLs.
Explaining a new concept
Conducting a role play, modeling a concept, or asking clarifying questions
Students’ interest and motivation are increased. ELLs are engaged in varied activities
Considering enrichment opportunities
Considering reinforcement opportunities
Everyone works toward essential understanding and skills. More options are available to meet student needs.

13. Reflections and What Next?
What was helpful for you today?
What do you need more support with?

14. Thank you so much for coming today!