Learning Objective:
1. To understand how sheltered instruction can be used to support English language learners (ELLs).
2. To understand that the ability of ELLs to comprehend new information may be significantly reduced when teachers fail to provide the necessary supports they may need in the classroom.
Activity, Part 1:
Go to: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/ell/challenge/
1. View the video of the teacher then write down five things she talked about during the lesson.
2. Were you able to identify five things the teacher talked about during the lesson? If so, why? If not, why not?
3. How did you feel as you were trying to understand the teacher during the lesson? Explain
4. What could the teacher have done to help you to better understand the lesson?
Activity, Part 2:
Go to: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/ell/cwrap/#content
View Video #2 of the same teacher you watched in Video #1.
1. Write down five things the teacher talked about during the lesson.
2. Compare the number of things you were able to write down from Video #2 to your answers from Video #1. From which lesson were you able to glean the most information? Why do you think this was the case? Explain.
3. Did you have any prior knowledge of this lesson’s content? If so, did it help you to understand the lesson? Why or why not?
4. Could the teacher have done anything else during the lesson to help you understand the information? Explain.
5. Discuss how this lesson demonstrates Stephen Krashen’s theory of comprehensible input. Be sure to provide a detailed explanation.
Activity, Part 3:
View the video at the bottom of https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/ell/cwrap/#content
Listen to Dr. Leonard Baca as he discusses ways in which teachers can help ELLs progress more effectively when learning English and academic content in school.
1. Summarize his key points.
2. Describe how you will improve your teaching (current or future) with ELLs as a result of completing this activity.