This week, I have been helping one of the ESL students in my classroom
recognize English words in a simple picture book that correspond with
each picture. I have been working on having him use the pictures cues to
figure out the word that is written below the picture, in English. To
do so, I ask him, "What is this?," then follow the question by, "In
English." I speak to him in Spanish when I prompt him so that I can
better relate to him and ensure he understands my requests.
Sometimes he responds in Spanish because he cannot always remember what
the word is in English. When this happens, I respond, "Si," and then I
tell him the English word. I then say the word in Spanish, followed by
in English, and I have him repeat after me so he can make the
connection. I have been working on this book for about 4 days now and it
seems that he is remembering his English words better than when we
started, so that is a good sign he's improving!
Also, the iPads my students use in the classroom just recently got some
new math apps downloaded onto them. My students and I have been
exploring these apps the past two days. They seem to be a bit more
difficult than what the students are used to because some questions
asked on the new apps are word problems. My job here is to help students
understand the vocabulary used within the word problems, as it can be
very confusing for the students to understand. Some of the math is too
advanced for my students, but on the other hand, there are a few
students who have seemed to grasp what the questions ask of them.
Overall, I am very happy with the improvement of the students in the
math and literacy areas, in which I have seen and helped them with. I am
happy to have been a part of their learning experiences and I can't
wait to do this again next semester!
That is so neat and helpful that you can prompt him in spanish! It probably helps him so much and makes him feel more comfortable with you!
ReplyDeleteThat is also very exciting that you can see improvement in the students that you've worked with! I bet that is such a great feeling!
I also think it is so bizarre that these children are using iPads to work on things in class. Not these students specifically, but many students in the elementary schools. Just think ten years ago we were in their shoes and no one had thought of such a thing!!
I know, it is so awesome that the students have the opportunity to use the iPads to further their learning! I can't even imagine if we had that type of technology when were were in elementary school; so many things have changed!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I think it's really cool that you can help him in spanish. It is probably very beneficial and comforting to him that you speak to him in his native language.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they are using iPads either, but I know the teachers are pretty nervous about it. One of the students in my class dropped his the other day, and the teachers all freaked out. I wonder if they are old enough to handle the responsibility of technology like that. The apps are really helpful, but it's probably pretty stressful for the students and teachers alike.