Interactive Notebooks

My current class, EESL 650, is quickly coming to a close. Even though much can be taken away from this class (I fall in the category of Language Arts....and this class is about working with ELLs in Math and Science classes), the highlight of the class for me has been the introduction of Interactive Notebooks (IN). In fact, we had to turn in our sample IN and I am very anxiously awaiting the return of my notebook. I'm ready to put it to use for this upcoming school year and see how I can adapt it to meet the needs for my language arts class. Holding true to the title of this blog, I do have a confession. I must confess I am jealous of one of my classmates! She had a great idea that I wish was mine. In looking at her blog, I notice she has posted a video podcast for her upcoming students. It is a video giving directions and showing what her students IN's should look like and how they should be used. Is that not a MARVELOUS idea! I do plan to copy, so maybe in the next few posts I will be able to include my video version for you to see.

Tschuss!

Guten Tag! Hola! Hello!

Welcome to my blog!!! My journey with ESL began 4 years ago when I taught my first English Language Learners. Out of 147 students, 28 of them were ELLs and represented 3 different native languages. Yeah! I know! Wowza! I must admit I was not the happiest camper (or should I say educator) at first. I enjoyed the students but had no clue how to best help them meet their educational needs. My students, however, won me over. After my first year of experience with ELLs, I was hooked but still very green and raw. My knowledge was growing, but I needed to learn more. After 2 years, a few doors opened, and I was able to start my Master's program at UAB. Fast forward another 2 years and here we are!

I must confess....I do not know everything there is to know about working with ELLs! That is my disclaimer :) I'm only here to collect information and hope it will help out others who may have similar needs as mine. For the month of July, I will focus my posts on teaching ELLs in Math and Science classrooms. Stay tuned :)