Modifying Instruction

The Tapestry Sets include teaching strategies that have been developed specifically for working with English

language learners. http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_tapestry.asp?CID=1585&DID=8920

Accommodations for English Language Learners from the NCEO (National Center on Educational Outcomes) are

posted on:

http://iris.peadbody.vanderbilt.edu/resource_infoBrief/cehd_umn_edu_NCEO_LEP_Accommodations_AccomLEPfaq_htm.html

This is a useful tool in matching readers to text.  It may be helpful in determining if the books students use are too “difficult”. http://lexile.com/analyzer/ 

For an explanation of how this “works”, go to http://lexile.com/about-lexile/lexile-video/

WordSift was created to help teachers manage the demands of vocabulary and academic language in their

text materials. htpp://www.wordsift.com

For a demonstration of the features and to see it in use, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JfvsQzcCWU

Word Cloud Graphic Organizers are available on the web and include the following sites:

http://www.wordle.net/

http://worditout.com/

http://www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm

For a free graphic organizers in English and Spanish (reproduce with permission). Don’t be fooled by the

short list on the homepage; there are lots of organizers in each link and even different organizers in the portrait

and landscape views. For example, the characterization link has 24 different graphic organizers – including a characterization about me so each student can describe themselves. http://www.region15.org/page.php?pid=107

This site contains audio books in the public domain which are available for free and may be downloaded into

several formats including iPod, iTunes, and mp3. http://audioowl.com

Filamentality is an interactive, fill-in-the-blank tool that guides you through picking a topic, searching the

Internet, gathering good links, and turning them into online learning activities. http://www.kn.att.com/

A step sheet in developing a customized learning activity, or viewing already-developed samples, is found at: http://thinkingmachine.pbworks.com/Think+Filamentality

WebQuests have been around since the mid-90s, but for a refresher, log onto this site to access a WebQuest

on how to develop a WebQuest. http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-es.html

This is a link to a vibrant, multi-sensory learning experience which integrates learner’s knowledge

and skills into traditionally text-oriented subjects and motivates learner’s desire to explore topics in

which they may previously have been less interested. http://edu.glogster.com/

This link provides directions on how to create a wiki without a lot of complications.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/gadget/gadget036.shtml

Skype provides free opportunities for tele-collaboration and tele-conferencing via computer to computer

throughout the world. http://about.skype.com/  Although tough to top Skype for free videoconferencing,

if you cannot download Skype and still want to use video-conferencing, go to http://www.mebeam.com/index.php

Portable technology devices, SMART pens, include translating pens (English to many other languages),

scanning pens (read text aloud to student, provide definitions, etc.), scribe and record features and are

available in many brands such as:

Quicktionary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEWkDS2ovoU

Livescribe: http://www.livescribe.com/smartpen/index.html
 

This site contains alternatives to Book Reports.

http://theapple.monster.com/benefits/articles/8529-10-technology-enhanced-alternatives-to-book-reports

This site offers options in the creation of unique timelines. http://www.ourtimelines.com/

Some parts of the site, though not all, are free and offer additional support for learners. http://www.brainpop.com/