how to apply sheltered instruction
To apply sheltered instruction in the classroom, follow these steps:
1. Identify the language proficiency levels of your students: Determine the English language proficiency levels of your students so you can tailor your instruction accordingly. Consider using a language assessment tool or consulting with the English as a Second Language (ESL) department if available.
2. Prioritize vocabulary and key concepts: Prioritize vocabulary and key concepts that are essential for understanding the lesson. Provide students with word lists, graphic organizers, and visuals to help them grasp new vocabulary and concepts.
3. Simplify language: Adjust and simplify your language to make it more accessible for English language learners. Use clear and concise sentences, break down complex ideas into smaller parts, and provide plenty of examples and explanations.
4. Use visuals and manipulatives: Incorporate visuals, real-life examples, and hands-on manipulatives to support understanding. Visual aids such as pictures, charts, and diagrams can help students comprehend concepts even when they have limited English proficiency.
5. Activate prior knowledge: Connect new information to students' prior knowledge and experiences. This helps students make connections and provides a foundation for building new skills and knowledge.
6. Provide ample opportunities for practice: Allow students to practice new skills and concepts in a supportive and structured environment. Encourage oral language practice, pair students with a proficient English speaker, and provide scaffolding and modeling as needed.
7. Differentiate instruction: Modify instruction based on the language proficiency levels and individual needs of your students. Group students by language proficiency levels and provide targeted instruction accordingly. Use a variety of instructional strategies and materials to address different learning styles.
8. Encourage collaboration and interaction: Create opportunities for students to collaborate and interact with their peers. Peer interaction promotes language development and provides a supportive learning environment.
9. Provide sentence frames and language supports: Offer sentence frames, language supports, and sentence starters to assist students in expressing their thoughts and ideas in English. This helps students practice using academic language in a structured and supportive way.
10. Assess and monitor progress: Regularly assess and monitor students' progress to determine if instructional adjustments need to be made. Use a variety of assessment tools, such as observations, informal assessments, and formative assessments, to gauge student understanding and growth.
Remember, sheltered instruction is a way to support English language learners in their acquisition of content knowledge while simultaneously developing their English language proficiency. By implementing these strategies and adapting your instruction to meet the needs of your students, you can create an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
To apply sheltered instruction, also known as sheltered English instruction (SEI), follow these steps:
Step 1: Understand the concept
Become familiar with the principles and objectives of sheltered instruction. It is a teaching approach that aims to make content more accessible to English language learners (ELLs) while also promoting their language development.
Step 2: Assess students' language proficiency
Assess the language proficiency level of your ELL students through language proficiency tests or observations. This will help you determine the appropriate level of support needed.
Step 3: Plan for comprehensible input
Design lesson plans that provide comprehensible input. Use visual aids, gestures, graphic organizers, and simplified language to make the content easier for ELL students to understanding.
Step 4: Incorporate language supports
Include language supports such as vocabulary development, sentence frames, and opportunities for oral language practice in your lessons. These supports will help ELL students engage with the content and express their understanding.
Step 5: Activate background knowledge
Tap into the background knowledge of your students. Use strategies to activate their prior knowledge related to the topic you are teaching. This will help build connections and increase comprehension.
Step 6: Use cooperative learning strategies
Implement cooperative learning strategies that encourage collaboration and peer interaction in the classroom. Group activities and discussions can enhance language acquisition and build communication skills.
Step 7: Provide opportunities for differentiation
Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of ELL students. Offer various levels of support, scaffolding, and adjustments based on individual language proficiency and learning styles.
Step 8: Assess language and content learning
Use appropriate formative and summative assessments to monitor both language and content learning progress of ELL students. Regularly assess their language development and adjust instruction accordingly.
Step 9: Reflect and adjust
Reflect on your teaching practices and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of sheltered instruction. Make adjustments as needed to better support the language acquisition and academic success of your ELL students.