Many Roots Many Voices - Supporting English Language Learners In Every Classroom

Many Roots, Many Voices CONTENTS Getting Started 3 Making a difference in every classroom About Many Roots, Many Voices How to make the most of this guide 4 4 5 Tips for the Classroom 7 Begin with essentials: the language of everyday life Build bridges: prior knowledge as a foundation Get them talking: the value of oral language Teach language everywhere: a cross-curricular approach Measure success: monitoring and assessment 8 14 19 23 32 Tips for the Whole School 35 Put out the welcome mat: the welcoming school Initial assessment: get it right from the start Make connections: parents and the community 36 42 44 Digging Deeper 47 Understanding the English language learner References and resources 48 52 This publication is available on the Ministry of Education’s website, at www.edu.gov.on.ca. A practical guide for Ontario educators 1 2 Supporting English language learners in every classroom Getting Started CONTENTS Getting Started Making a difference in every classroom About Many Roots, Many Voices How to make the most of this guide A practical guide for Ontario educators 4 4 5 3 Making a difference in every classroom As I sit here I wonder if you, my teacher, are able to tell when I am sinking in spirit and ready to quit this incredible task. I walked a thousand miles, dear teacher, before I met you. (ESL/ELD student) As educators, we share a deep commitment to the success of every student, and, as professionals, we are working to meet the challenges of an increasingly multicultural and multilingual society. Across Ontario, educators are asking critical questions. Are we serving students effectively? What can we do in our own classrooms to create an environment in which students of varied cultures and languages thrive and grow, academically and personally? How can we deepen our knowledge and expand our professional practice not only to support these valued students, but to celebrate their presence in our classrooms and enrich the learning experience for all students? Many Roots, Many Voices was developed to facilitate and continue this important dialogue and, in particular, to address the most critical question educators are asking themselves as individuals: what can I do right now, in this classroom and in this school, to ensure that not a single student is, as one student put it, “sinking in spirit and ready to quit this incredible task”? In preparing this resource, the Ministry of Education acknowledges the valuable work being done in schools and classrooms across Ontario, and the dedication of teachers throughout the province to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports the success of every student. About Many Roots, Many Voices Many Roots, Many Voices is designed to support teachers, principals, and other education professionals at the elementary and secondary levels in working effectively with English language learners. In it, you will find a rich source of practices and strategies that can be put to immediate use in the school and the classroom