ESOL & ELLP Staff meeting

 On Monday 15th of February our we had a staff meeting for ESOL and ELLP.  Last year I had a few children in my class that I was to put forward for ESOL funding so as part of that I had to fill out the ELLP finding forms. I was shown briefly by an experienced teacher as to how to fill them out. I have it my best try, but this year we had a staff meeting due to the fact that majority of the teachers did not highlight the ELLP rubrics correctly.

To get funding for a child, the ministry looks at what the children can do. The presenter went into saying that we can half highlight the stage, so the area that is not highlighted will be our "Where to next" for the child's learning and what areas he/she needs to work on.

The English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) is first and foremost a teaching and learning, planning and reporting document. It identifies strengths and gaps in language learning and offers effective pedagogy for English language learners. The  gaps found when filling out the form helps with deriving "Where to next"steps for children's further learning. 


Years 1-4: Foundation to Stage 2
Years 5-8: Foundation to Stage 3

Here is an example if a ELLP form matrix and what it should look like. Each time the students is assessed a different coloured highlighter is used. In this particular form the students has been assessed at 3 different occasions/parts of year etc.  

In this particular example, the student is proficient at stage 1 where it has been highlighted in blue. So when recording for ESOL funding it would be recorded as stage 1 achieved which is recorded on the "Record of progress" coversheet for funding purposes. 

In the Matrix you can clearly identify what the students next steps will be from the unhighlighted parts in the form. 

After the staff meeting I was a bit overwhelmed due to the fact there was alot to take it, but I know that i will be capable to doing this with the help and guidance of the wonderful stuff at my School as well as reference to the ESOL on line website which has a lot of information that can clarify any questions that I can may that I am unsure of. 

Off to a roll in 2016

 

Two weeks have past and what a great start to 2016.
My class are starting to settle in well into the classroom routines and are always eager and motivated to learn new things.

To be able to manage my class and their learning I have slit my class into table groups. The groups, when thinking about how I would do this effectively the questions I posed in my head were which students would work well together, having a mixed ability of students at a table which gives the students that are finding it difficult to learn from the students that are more confident and competent in their learning.  I also found that having the mix ability table groups also encouraged participation, collaboration, and collegial interactions as each student comes to the table with different views and perspectives and ideas. The children showed a lot of enthusiasm and were very excited to find out which table they would be at as I had named the tables groups after super Hero's- Iron man, The Incredible Hulk, Batman, and Captain America.

Working in a  cooperative learning environment helps students with:

• Thinking aloud
• Taking risks
• Develop understandings 
• Deeper order thinking. 
• Be more self confident as learners. 
• Develop oral language skills as students inputs into activities is valued. 
• Improve relationships with other students and their teacher.
• Scaffold their learning through talk and the use of cognitive and graphic organisers. 

Here are some examples of graphic organisers that we have begun to use in the classroom as well as going to use throughout 2016.

Y Chart 

T chart 

Venn Diagram-Making comparisons

The weeks also began with lots of team building to get to know each other and build better relationships with each other. What I really found effective was using mini energisers in between lessons which got children to have fun as well as get their ready again for learning with a fresh mind as I knew and understood that the children coming from a long summer holiday had to get their minds and bodies back into the learning mode.

One of the challenges I think I will face in the next coming weeks is because my classroom is a 1:1 net book class some of the children do not have net book which will make it harder in regards to their learning. So to cater for their needs and not having a net book, we will have to pair them up with another student that has a net book, keeping in mind that both students have an equal input in the learning and work.

Another very exciting thing is that our Syndicate, Kia Manawanui leader Aireen and our Manaiakalani facilitator have worked very hard and build a Kia Manawanui syndicate site which looks AMAZING!!! Well done to you both!! Which I am very excited to use. What great about having a Syndicate site is that we can also see what learning is happening in our neighbouring classrooms.

I have also have the opportunity to meet three new teachers that have joined our syndicate. They are wonderful. It has been great working alongside them and sharing ideas as well as building new friendships. I am looking forward to working with them this year. I also have the gratitude of being part of a fantastic school that has a great bunch of teachers where i have a feeling of belonging-they are like a family to me and have been so supportive during hard times and happy times. I belive this is really important in a School environment. Where there are teachers that can support you makes a huge difference. So a special Thank you to all the teachers of Tamaki Primary School, Arohanui  

It is going to be an exciting year with positives and challenges. I am looking forward to embracing these challenges.