Building Background Using students’ backgrounds to access new content. Content Objective: Demonstrate understanding of the importance of making connections between students’ funds of knowledge and new content. Language Objective: Write a lesson that incorporates building background strategies.

How do English Learners contribute to your class? Username: encarnacionesol@gmail.com Password: naptown1

Concepts linked to students’ backgrounds (funds of knowledge) Building background Concepts linked to students’ backgrounds (funds of knowledge) Links between past learning and new concepts Develop new key vocabulary (consider native language as a tool) THE ESOL OFFICE POLICY IS TO SUPPORT THE APPROPRIATE USE OF NATIVE LANGUAGE IN CONTENT CLASSES TO ENHANCE INSTRUCTION.  

Funds of knowledge

How can native language help students access the curriculum? Login: encarnacionesol@gmail.com Password: naptown1 Address how students have varying native language proficiencies.

Supporting Native language and background Encourage students to use a bilingual dictionary (as appropriate) Allow students to write in their first language Pair students from similar language backgrounds but different proficiency levels Supplement text with bilingual materials Allow students to speak to each other in their first language Identify cognates between the students’ first languages and English Pre-assess students’ language knowledge Use a second language during instruction Use materials that reflect the diverse backgrounds of the students Link concepts to students’ previous learning Link concepts to students’ background experiences

Supporting Els in your class Consider a lesson that you have recently taught. What particular gaps in background knowledge were specific to your English Learners? What funds of knowledge did ESOL students bring to the class regarding this content? How could you have appropriately supported your EL students’ native language in this lesson?