Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn how you can teach key reading skills through read alouds.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: The importance of teaching reading skills through read alouds How you c...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn how you can create engaging and rigorous lessons during testing season.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: Steps to planning lessons during testing season Ideas for...

Description: In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn strategies that will maximize you planning period.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: The strategy behind setting up a planning system Tips to help you...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn how you can use picture books to teach about complex topics.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and share your wins to inspire and motivate ELL educators.  In this episode, you will learn: How you can use picture books to build background...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn why it is so important to refresh your mindset daily. This will help you refocus and reflect to a strong school year.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: Why refresh...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn how you can integrate grammar and punctuation into your lessons without feeling guilty. If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: Some tips and strategies on how you can mo...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn some strategies and tips on how you can advocate for the arts for your English Language Learners.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: The importance behind advocatin...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn engaging lesson ideas that you can use with your ELLs this winter.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: Ideas to take your Back - to - School Part II goal setting int...

In this episode of My Adventures of ESL, you will learn effective strategies that will improve your ELLs listening skills in your classroom.  If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: How to set clear and high expectations with...

In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, you will learn strategies that will help your ELLs grow in writing. If you are a new listener to My Adventures in ESL, I would love to hear from you. Please visit email at millie@myadventuresinesl@gmail.com and let me know how I can help you today! In this episode, you will learn: How having universal scaffolds can support ELLs in growth in writing Why kid-...

There is so much data thrown at us as teachers. There are instances when we as teachers can feel as if we are doing an assessment a week. One struggle is presenting this data to our students, so they can break it down to hone in on their strengths and areas of growth. I have never been a big fan of data walls. I have ever been a fanatic of tracking my own personal growth. I noticed how beneficial...

How Novel Studies Can Make your Life Easier So many new ESL teachers ask what do I teach my ELLs. I always answer with the same curriculum you would teach any student. You simply add the scaffolds and differentiate for your student needs. Now if you are still stuck novel studies are a great way to make planning out your curriculum easier. How to novel studies are beneficial: Building Background Kn...

The Power of  Field Trips: Building Relationships with your students If you haven't planned a field trip before…brace yourself. In most cases there is a lot of red tape that goes along with planning a field trip. There have been moments when I have been planning trips and thought this is A LOT of work! I am not saying that to scare you, but I want you to know that it is was worth every permission...

Everyone I have exciting news! The doors are officially open for the ESL Teacher Master Plan. The ESL Teacher Master Plan is teachers who have been teaching 3 years or less, and want to structure their classroom for success. In the ESL Teacher Master Plan you will learn how to create a rock solid classroom management plan, design a long range curriculum for the remainder of the school year, suppor...

Everyone I have exciting news! The doors are officially open for the ESL Teacher Master Plan. The ESL Teacher Master Plan is teachers who have been teaching 3 years or less, and want to structure their classroom for success. In the ESL Teacher Master Plan you will learn how to create a rock solid classroom management plan, design a long range curriculum for the remainder of the school year, suppor...

Welcome everyone! I am so excited to be back with you! Today I am going to share beginning of the classroom routines that will assist in your classroom running smoothly. In my program the ESL Teacher Master Plan, for new ESL teachers who have been teaching for 3 years or less, we talk about this in depth about how classroom routines can make your school year so much easier. Some teachers may think...

What is rigor in a classroom? Rigor is challenging your ELLs in their work and thinking. Even with our ELLs we want our work to be rigorous. There was once a time in my classroom when I had students rushing through assignments and not taking the time to give me their best work. Join me as we discuss how you can increase rigor in your ESL classroom!   Note: This is from a Facebook Live I did about...

Today's episode is a BONUS episode from my Facebook Lives. In this episode I share some freebies (see links below). Target Talk in my classroom has completely transformed introducing learning objectives in my classroom. A learning objective tells what the student will be doing in class. Before students would simply say the target, and we would move on. Now when the students are talking about learn...

Supporting ELLs in Math Something magical happened at my school three years ago that opened my eyes to one of the true needs of English Language Learners. Our school piloted a program that was completely unheard of in our school district. I had the honor of being a part of this life changing experience. We took part in the first newcomer program. During the day 50 newcomers in grades 6-8 we a part...

Social Studies was always one of my favorite subjects. I loved hearing and learning the history of others. However social studies can present a challenge to many of our English Language Learners. I think it is the perfect connection to English Language Arts, and to extend some of those same strategies in Social Studies.   Take time to build background knowledge Social Studies requires a lot of bac...

Supporting ELLS in Science The English Language Learners that I have taught have always loved science! It was their favorite subject, and it is easy to see why they love science. Science is filled with visuals, diagrams, and hands on processes. Out of all the subjects I found science the easiest to support ELLs for this very reason. Over the years I have picked up some strategies of supporting ELL...

I stumbled onto FlipGrid by chance. I was searching for speaking apps and this one popped up on my google search. While I was exploring the app, I noticed all of the features that can beneficial to English Language Learners. FlipGrid is a video discussion platform that is being used in classrooms around the world. I loved that is resembles students favorite social media platflorms such as SnapChat...

In the beginning I struggled with getting funded on Donor's Chose. My students in my ELL classroom needed technology and new books. I would post a project for $1200, and let it sit there hoping it get funded. I didn't realize at the time that I need to put in some elbow grease to get the project funded. Within a year I have had a total of 10 projects funded with Donor's Chose! I have included some...

My first year of teaching I had a lot of random items all over my room. Posters in my room were not hung, and the who area was in a disarray. I tried "decorating" my room, but I was told by veteran teacher in what's the point of doing that when you have more important things to be doing. However that view took a drastic turn when my teacher mentor came in and explained to me why the thinking and s...

I can remember staying until 6pm every school day trying to cram in as much work as I could. I was even waking up on Saturday and Sunday working hours on end with lesson planning. Finally, it all blew up in my face. I was at a breaking point and I knew what I was doing wasn't sustainable. My husband had started to ask me …. "Why are you working till almost 6 everyday?" He was starting to see that...