Module 5: Instructional Challenge

As your school year starts, you realize that you have three ELLs who are newcomers to the United States. Discuss how a comprehensive literacy program addresses their needs, drawing attention to specific components of the framework that are particularly relevant. Then discuss any additional scaffolding you would offer to support these children's needs. 

In the literacy program, the read aloud part would be a great place for ELLs to see how a book is supposed to be read. In particular, if the read aloud models strong ways to read fluently, check for meaning and to hold discussions the ELLs will begin to develop ideas of what reading is supposed to be like. Guided reading would be important to ELLs as well because they will get direct instruction that pertains to their needs in a small group setting. It will also provide them with strategies and skills that they can use when they eventually move on to reading alone. Of course, these students might need more tutoring time than just guided reading, but it will provide a foundation. Like all students, ELLs will benefit from the mini-lessons that teachers lead during the literacy program. They will begin to learn the reading process, different reasons for reading and reading strategies that strong readers use. Also, it would be beneficial for these students to be included in literature groups in the classroom. In this way, they will be able to read according to their interest but also have the opportunity to spend time with their classmates discussing the reading, problems that occurred during reading and other issues that may arise. Like reading, writing will also probably be difficult for the ELLs. However, holding conferences with them as they practice their writing to see how they are doing, shared writing that models writing strategies and guided writing which allows writing to happen in small groups would all be helpful. These components would give them strong roots in becoming good writers which is heavily connected to becoming a good reader.
These ELLs will probably need extra reading and writing scaffolding that is strongly based in their specific and individual needs. Challenges such as, learning grammar patterns and cues in order to determine words in the text will exist. Other places that will need scaffolding will exist in determining letter-sound patterns and phonics knowledge. Time will need to be focused on such topics in order for them to begin forming meaning and comprehension. Teachers may need to set aside time to work just with them and track their progress. These students will likely have trouble working independently at first, but with scaffolding will be able to as the year goes on.  Like any other learner however, they will each have their own strengths as well as their own weaknesses. It is up to the teacher to determine these and then work from there. Teachers also need to make sure they are constantly encouraging these students and celebrating all successes.