Gibbons Chapters 1 &2 katchup

As it has been told to me, and as I have witnessed in various classrooms, ELL students are, by and large, a quiet group of individuals in American classrooms. It has also been brought to my attention that many of these students do not feel welcome in the room, and that language plays as a barrier rather than a means of expression for these students. I really liked the idea of scaffolding through group projects and guided discussions as a way to help students get a more comfortable grip on the language. I think it's also important to note that, as they said in the text, the way the teacher responds when an ELL student uses English is important. The way a teacher talks and acts towards students who are at risk for not being accepted sets the tone for the rest of the students. I think it's important for teachers to keep their own assumptions and behaviors in mind when working with students who have a culture different from their own for this reason. I also thought it is important to keep in mind that it's important to give explicit instruction and make sure directions are clear before beginning because ELL students will struggle with the language as it is, and not knowing what to do on top of this would be an unnecessary hardship the teacher can help the student avoid.