Lesson Planning for English Language Learners
For many years I have been tinkering with my lesson planning routine. I have been trying to create a system that makes planning faster and more efficient yet includes all of the components of quality instruction.
Here is the most current version of that quest:
The greatest improvement I have been able to make is the use of drop down menus in the planning template. These menus have made planning much faster and more efficient. The items contained in the menus have been collected and curated from multiple sources and incorporate the best practices for language teaching.
In the image below, the light blue arrow shows the different options you can choose from the drop down menu for your Anticipatory Set. There are drop down menus for many of the other components such as differentiation, closure, etc.
In the image below, the light blue arrow shows the different options you can choose from the drop down menu for your Anticipatory Set. There are drop down menus for many of the other components such as differentiation, closure, etc.
Pretty cool, right?
Now, to get the most out of the templates, it is best to use Microsoft Word. In most cases, you have to activate a specific toolbar which will allow you to use the drop down menus. Refer to the instructions and image below to navigate this process.
The red arrow shows a Developer tab in the toolbar. Most likely your current set up for MS Word does not have that option enabled. If it does, good. If it doesn't, click the Settings icons as indicated by the blue arrow. Click Ribbon Preferences and from the list that opens up, click in the check box for Developer.
Now you will see the Developer tab (red arrow) on your toolbar. Next, notice the little lock and paper icon which reads Protect Form. When you are ready to use the drop down menus, click the icon to enable them. When you want to type in the document or change the contents of the menus leave this button deactivated.
Now, to get the most out of the templates, it is best to use Microsoft Word. In most cases, you have to activate a specific toolbar which will allow you to use the drop down menus. Refer to the instructions and image below to navigate this process.
The red arrow shows a Developer tab in the toolbar. Most likely your current set up for MS Word does not have that option enabled. If it does, good. If it doesn't, click the Settings icons as indicated by the blue arrow. Click Ribbon Preferences and from the list that opens up, click in the check box for Developer.
Now you will see the Developer tab (red arrow) on your toolbar. Next, notice the little lock and paper icon which reads Protect Form. When you are ready to use the drop down menus, click the icon to enable them. When you want to type in the document or change the contents of the menus leave this button deactivated.
Now... the templates. Choose your tool:
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Weekly Planning Template
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Daily Planning Template
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*If you are interested in using language objectives in your lesson plans, please visit the SIOP page for support documents and links.
Other Tools for Lesson Planning
Need a strategy or a new way to provide closure to a lesson? These two resources are incredible. I use them if I want to add to the drop down menus in the templates or just learn about different strategies.
A Glossary of Strategies and Activities (PDF)
The Go To Strategies: Scaffolding Options for Teachers of ELLs (PDF)
Use this as your checklist for quality instruction:
The TELL Project: A framework for ELL teacher effectiveness (PDF)
A Glossary of Strategies and Activities (PDF)
The Go To Strategies: Scaffolding Options for Teachers of ELLs (PDF)
Use this as your checklist for quality instruction:
The TELL Project: A framework for ELL teacher effectiveness (PDF)
