Choosing Suitable Stories 1. ELLs need stories with repetitive language patterns. 2. There should be minimal words on each page. 3. The illustrations should support the language. 4. The stories should coordinate with your classroom theme. Ex. The Very Busy Spider is an excellent story to use with a theme about Spring, Insects, or Nature. 5. Read and reread the story multiple times!
Chants and songs make learning English fun and easy. Make up simple chants that use vocabulary from your read aloud or that reinforce vocabulary you use for every day activities. Give the words a rhythm and clap as you say them. Say the chant over and over. By changing voices you can keep the children's interest. Ex. Say it like a mouse. Say it in a daddy voice, whisper etc.
Sing this song as the ELLs wash their hands. You will be teaching them vocabulary for personal hygiene routines. This is the way I wash my hands, Wash my hands, wash my hands. This is the way I wash my hands. I wash my hands.
Notice the vocabulary is very limited. It is important to use only a few words in your chant when you are teaching new vocabulary.
Extension Activities: Make the most of your activities in the classroom centers by connecting them to the literature and theme of the month. The best method for teaching English to your ELLs is to teach in depth rather than broadly. Keep the same theme for at least a month and explore different aspects of it. Use the Fall theme in your Science area as you explore natural objects such as acorns and leaves. Learn the names of clothing worn in fall and compare it to summer clothing. Put rakes and baskets in the Dramatic Play area as you read stories about fall. Count and sort leaves for a math activity. During Circle Time count how many children are wearing long sleeves. Recite simple poems and fingerplays about fall. By using these opportunities to practice the new vocabulary in a natural way you are helping your students aquire English.
