ESL MiniConference
Top Ten Picks at TESOL
Topic: Elementary Education
#1279: Language difference or learning disability?
Discussion Group
Wednesday,
Developing English language proficiency for some learners becomes a very difficult and potentially impossible process. How does the ESOL teacher know whether
it is a learning disability or a learning difference? The presenter discusses potential pre-evaluation and evaluation procedures. Participants are encouraged to share
their own experiences.
Judith O'Loughlin
#2062: Teaching ESOL
through content-based science themes
Workshop; Content-based instruction
Wednesday,
Increase interest and excitement about science through content-based thematic instruction. Picture first graders singing a catchy tune about the life cycle of the frog
while manipulating stick puppets. Imagine fifth graders conducting simple science experiments as they demonstrate the scientific method. Hands-on activities are
featured.
Judie Haynes; Monica Schnee
#5012: Implementing
TESOL standards using children's literature
Poster Session
Wednesday,
TESOL standards for teaching elementary school students (preschool--3, 4--8) reflect learning strategies for teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This
presentation uses strategies in conjunction with works of children's literature for instructional purposes. This technique gives personal relevance to the standards and
enhances the goals of the ESL curriculum.
Carol Butzow; Anne Solarz
#2376: Language learning through arts integration
Demonstration; Content-based instruction
Thursday,
Using an arts integration approach, students can improve language and comprehension of content knowledge. This demonstration shows how the teaching of the
core curriculum and target language through the medium of the arts (e.g., music, visual arts, and physical movement) strengthens language and comprehension of
content areas.
Kristin Grayson; Marlynn Martin
#5100: Scaffolding applications to ESL literacy development
Poster Session
Thursday,
This poster session provides educators with activities for developing ESL students' early skills in writing and reading. Based on Vygotsky's concept about learning
and development, the literacy scaffolds presented include dialogue journals, buddy journals, pattern poems, Big Books, pattern books, directed listening-thinking
activity, readers' theater, and story mapping.
Anh Tran
#1009: Children of trauma, children of hope
Academic Session
Friday,
Presenters examine immigration issues and their impact on elementary ESOL classrooms; discuss the trauma experienced by children and their emotional and
academic concerns; analyze the needs of young immigrants with limited schooling and long-term English learners; and provide practical teaching ideas for all.
Michelle De Cou-Landberg; Yvonne Freeman; David Goren; Else Hamayan; Catherine Duenas Lenser; Siluna Neou
#2437: Multisensory games and art activities for children
Demonstration; Literature/arts/media
Friday,
The presenter introduces multisensory games and art activities for elementary ESL and EFL students, including "five-sense charade," "five-sense information gap,"
and "five-sense arts and crafts." Participants experience how these distinctive activities successfully promote language acquisition through touching, seeing, hearing,
smelling, and tasting authentic materials.
Yoshiko Kitada
#2510: Interactive bulletin boards as ESL teaching tools
Demonstration; Curriculum/materials development
Friday,
Bulletin boards that involve students become active learning tools if they are an integral part of the teaching/learning processes. This session shows teachers how to
plan interactive bulletin boards that are interdisciplinary and individualized and that reinforce and supplement the language or content curriculum.
Joan Dungey
#3450: Identifying the special needs of ESOL students
Workshop; Assessment/testing
Friday,
A dual-language assessment team presents a transdisciplinary method of identifying L2 learners who may need special education services. Participants review case
studies of K-12 ESOL students with varied cultural and educational backgrounds and work in groups to apply a team approach to making decisions for
assessment and interventions.
Carolyn Parks; Emma Refuerzo; Monique Keene-King; Cynthia Hunnicutt; Gina Crosby-Quinatoa
#3658: Family-centered learning and empowerment
Workshop; Curriculum/materials development
Saturday,
Presenters explore four strategies for improving parent involvement: learning about today's diverse families, building mutual understanding, reconceptualizing
partnerships, and employing collaboration strategies. Presenters share current census data and information about specific communities as well as strategies and
techniques for developing effective, collaborative, family-centered learning programs.
Indira Newell; Catherine Collier