Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Between The Lions

     Between the Lions is a website that can be used to teach listening and reading in the target language to English Language Learners.  The site is a PBS Kids site for children K-2, however the videos, games, stories, provided can be useful for any English Language Learner no matter what the age.  The stories are folktales and fairytales, the videoclips are of letter songs (beginning sounds, vowel blends, letter families etc.).  Moreover, games focus on phonics, and sorting objects.
     The site has activities for children, and resources for parents and teachers to use.  Educators will find literacy activities, lesson plans, handouts, certificates, and other resources to engage emerging readers and their families.  Parents will find activities and games for their children to help them learn to read and write.  Along with recommended books and tips to get kids excited about reading.
     The resources consist of  activities and games for kids ages 4 to 7 and activity booklets for families with children ages 3 to 5. You'll also find great read-aloud books and books about teaching reading. Educators and parents can also find literacy tips and Leading the Way to Literacy videos for ideas on how to encourage children to read.
    

Monday, November 5, 2012

everythingesl.net

     Everythingesl.net is exactly that, everything ESL.  It is one of the only sites that I have found that offers effective resources for educators to use in the classroom. 
     Everythingesl recommends websites to visit that are suitable for English Language Learners.  Moreover, everythingESL also offers lesson plans, teacher tips and articles on English Language Learners.
     The site is not very intriguing, however the site is simple to navigate,and offers a lot useful background information.  What I love most about the site are the list of websites that you can link to directly from the site.
      Everythingesl is not for children, but can be directed towards parents who speak English; and educate them on what they need to know about the needs of their child.

Storyline Online

     Storyline-Online is a website sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild.  The website is designed to read stories aloud to children.  The stories are read by actors such as Melissa Gilbert and James Earl Jones.  As the stories are read aloud, the pictures are displayed.
     The site provides activities for students that lend themselves to the readings.  Moreover, the read-alouds are played on youtube, but if your school blocks youtube; the site offers an alternate link which will allow you to play the video in school.
     English Language Learners benefit from the site in that they are able to listen to a story in the target language, even though they cannot read it themselves.  Moreover, as an English Language Learner educator; the site is ideal to display on the smartboard for a read aloud.
     The site is very user-friendly and easy to navigate, a child can easily log in and select the book that they would like to listen to.  Storyline online is also very colorful and fun to look at; motivating children to read.
     The only criticism I have is that there isn't a wide variety of stories to choose from.

Colorin Colorado

     Colorin Colorado is a website for administrators, educators, librarians and parents who are Spanish/English Bilingual.  However, the langage resources, and videos found on the site are very useful for non-spanish speakers as well.   Colorin Colorado offers resources to teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners and will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
     The departments of the site are: For Educators, Administrators, Librarians, Families, Books & Authors, Glossary, ELL Topics from A-Z, ELLs and Policy, ELL Research & Reports, Free Guides & Toolkits, LearningStore, Webcasts, Multimedia, E-Newsletters and Web Resources.
     When I use the site, I have to alott about half an hour to an hour researching webcasts and articles.  The webcasts and articles are so informative, in that they educate me on the topic of English Language Learners.  The first time I tried it I was relieved to know that such a site existed to assist me in numerous ways when planning for my students.
     The site is up to date.  It is currently focusing on integrating the new Common Core Standards for English Language Learners, and the policies.
     Parents and teachers can use this site to find recommended books, writing activities and reading activities.  The site is in English, however a tab is available to access the site in Spanish.