ELL and Technology

Utilizing Technology in the Preschool Classroom to support English Language Acquisition

Preschool and ELL Students

• Since immigration began, the number of ELL families has increased exponentially. Many of these families speak Spanish, but not all of them. We have been lucky enough, as educators, to be picked to support their children and give them a meaningful education.
• It is important to make sure that these children feel like they are in a safe and supportive environment on a daily basis. They also need to feel loved and cared for.

Preschool in 2016

• Over the past few decades, it seems as those academics are being pushed forward. What was once 1st grade is now Kindergarten and what was Kindergarten is now Preschool.
• My students are expected to know at least 75% of the uppercase letters and 30% of lowercase letters by the end of the school year. It is also expected they know at least 25% of the letter sounds.
• Unfortunately, these expectations are held for all students, this includes special education students and ELL students.

ELL and Preschool

• With the Virginia Preschool Initiative, students must qualify for admittance into the program. Adminsitrator's look mostly at poverty percentage and family back ground.
• Students are not required to speak English in the home, and sadly, preschool students are not given ELL services. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the preschool teacher to teach them English.
• Most of us, all in my district, have no education in teaching ELL students. We are expected to "do our best" until they get to Kindergarten and can be serviced.
• Fortunately, preschool is more flexible in its routine and we have the benefit of center time.
• During center time we are able to pull students for small group and even one on one activities.

ELL and Preschool (continued)

• With the Virginia Preschool Initiative, students must qualify for admittance into the program. Adminsitrator's look mostly at poverty percentage and family back ground.
• Students are not required to speak English in the home, and sadly, preschool students are not given ELL services. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the preschool teacher to teach them English.
• Most of us, all in my district, have no education in teaching ELL students. We are expected to "do our best" until they get to Kindergarten and can be serviced.
• Fortunately, preschool is more flexible in its routine and we have the benefit of center time.
• During center time we are able to pull students for small group and even one on one activities.

Starfall ABC's

Starfall

• Starfall ABC is an app that can be used with preschool students to help them learn their letters (both upper/lowercase, letter sounds, as well as identify words that start with the as well as how to sort upper/lowercase letters.
• The app alspo makes the student repeat them letter and sounds as well as the picture provded for that letter (for example: A-Alligator)

Starfall and Kindergarten

• One of the great things about Starfall is that this program is also utilized in the Kindergarten classroom.
• Students use this program as part of their center rotation daily.

Starfall and Core Subjects

• One of the great things about Starfall is the ability to use it for any subject area.
• For example, when looking at the letter A, it not only discusses the letter sound, it also identifies words that start with A. these words can be related to either science or social studies. It also has a sorting compnenet which is great for math skills.

relating Apps to ELL Teaching strategies

• One of the main components that we have learn about teaching out ELL students is that they need to be comfortable. Having predictable routines and signals in the classroom will help relieve some fo the anxiety students will feel.
• Starfall is great in that it has a pattern, but it also allows students to chose a letter they would like to learn about. It doesn't have to go A through Z, it gives students choice in what they learn.

strategies continued

• When using Starfall, students are given nonverbal cues in order to follow directions, and if the student sits stationary for an extended time, it offers them help both non-verbally and verbally.
• Another great concept of Starfall is that it connects to the real word. Most of the pictures are actual pictures of people, places, and/or things. This helps ELL students connect what they see in technology to what they see when they are out in the real world.

Conclusion

• With all the available technology at our fingertips, it is important to make sure that the technology is easy enough for the child to utilize but beneficial in an educational way.
• There are many apps that can be used for young children, especially preschool aged.
• One other important point to remember is make sure YOU check out the app first. Go through it and make sure it is appropriate, well developed, and beneficial. You also have to make sure it does not have "commercials" within it which can distract the student from his/her purpose.

References

• Herrell, A. L., & Jordan, M. (2016). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners. Boston: Pearson.
• Sousa, D. (2011). How the ELL brain learns. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
• Starfall. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2016, from http://www.starfall.com/