Tag Archives: vocabulary

Improve your Science Literacy Game in Minutes: Educator Resources from the American Museum of Natural History

ABE, ESOL, HSE, Pre-HSE, Reading, Science, ,
American Museum of Natural History: Integrating Literacy Strategies into Science Instruction
· Appropriate for: Building teacher background knowledge, Knowledge of teaching · Available: Videos, Hands On Activities · Readiness: Resources can be used as they are · Engagement: 3 = very engaging

As ABE/HSE teachers, we face the continual dilemma of so much to teach, and so little time to teach it—that is why it makes sense for us to teach literacy strategies in the process of helping students acquire content knowledge.  One of the main ways we can do this is through reading.

The Integrating Literacy Strategies into Science Instruction series from the American Museum of Natural History is a very helpful tool for this purpose.  The series consists of videos, 5-10 minutes in length, on particular reading strategies—paraphrasing, summarizing, read alouds, vocabulary, and interactive reading guides—that are accompanied by the tools used along with the videos.

Continue reading Improve your Science Literacy Game in Minutes: Educator Resources from the American Museum of Natural History →

We Speak NYC Season 2

ABE, ESOL, HSE, Pre-HSE, Reading, Technology, , , , , , , ,

· Appropriate for: Use in class, For student independent work · Available: Texts/Readings, Videos · Readiness: Some resources are ready for the adult ed classroom and some would need to be adapted · Engagement: 3 = very engaging

In 2018, the Emmy-winning ESOL/Civics series, We Are New York, was rebranded with new name, new website, and seven new episodes, known collectively as Season 2 of We Speak NYC. The 10 original We Are New York episodes became known from that time forward as We Speak NYC Season 1.

Each of the Season 2 characters brings their life experience to the We Speak NYC stories, making them as wholly relatable and endearing as the Season 1 characters we know and love.

The episode topics of Season 2 are food insecurity, job-seeking skills, worker rights, elder care, free legal aid, early childhood education, and mental health.

Watch the Season 2 trailer:

Continue reading We Speak NYC Season 2 →

Low Level Stories You Can “Bank” On!

ESOL, Low Level ESOL, , ,
Minnesota Literacy Council ESL Story Bank
· Appropriate for: Use in class, Knowledge of teaching · Available: Lessons, Texts/Readings, Assessments, Hands On Activities · Readiness: Resources can be used as they are · Engagement: 3 = very engaging

The Minnesota Literacy Council ESL Story Bank is a group of stories written specifically for adult ESL learners at the lowest levels. They are part of the Minnesota Literacy Council’s Adult ESL Curriculum with Transition Skills, available here for free. In the ESL Story Bank, there are both pre-beginning and beginning stories in the story bank.  The stories are all relevant and appropriate for adult English Language Learners. The activities are well-scaffolded, and designed to help low level students each step of the way.  The materials can be used as a full curriculum in which you introduce a new story with a theme that builds over the course of a week. Alternatively, teachers can pick and choose stories that support the adult learner themes they are working on. Continue reading Low Level Stories You Can “Bank” On! →

Vocabulary Study and Play at Your Fingertips

ESOL
Quizlet
· Appropriate for: Use in class, For student independent work · Available: Lessons, Assessments, Hands On Activities · Readiness: Resources can be used as they are · Engagement: 3 = very engaging

Quizlet.com is a site for teachers and students to create word cards for vocabulary learning through reading, listening, matching, spelling and flashcard games. Continue reading Vocabulary Study and Play at Your Fingertips →

Word Games!

ESOL, HSE, Pre-HSE, Reading,
Vocabulary Ideas Compiled by Deb Smith - Reading Lady
· Appropriate for: Use in class, Knowledge of teaching · Available: Hands On Activities · Readiness: Resources can be used as they are · Engagement: 3 = very engaging

This page is a wonderful resource for teachers who want a crash course on how to teach vocabulary effectively along with dozens of really fun vocabulary games that can be used for reinforcement and review.

The first pages of the document are devoted to summarizing the main points of Beck and McKeown’s Bringing Words to Life, which has become the go-to book for most educators around the topic of vocabulary instruction. These pages provide teachers with a quick and dirty guide to choosing words, presenting words to students, what it means to “know” a word, and how to review words for reinforcement and application. Continue reading Word Games! →