Scaffolding Success: 5 Strategies for Newcomers in Your ELL Classroom

With schools across the United States witnessing an influx of ELL students, it’s imperative for educators to foster a welcoming environment where these newcomers feel valued and understood. Beth emphasizes the importance of taking the time to familiarize ourselves with each student’s background and language needs. Understanding whether a newcomer has a foundation of literacy in their native language greatly influences the approach educators should take in supporting their learning journey.

So, what comes after the initial welcome? Beth breaks down a step-by-step guide to scaffold lessons effectively for newcomers, making learning both engaging and accessible. Even if you’ve never had a newcomer in your classroom before, Beth offers practical insights that you can implement right away, promising a positive impact on your students’ learning experiences.

Here’s a sneak peek into what Beth covers in this insightful episode:

1. Why Shifting Approach Matters: Even experienced ELL teachers may need to adjust their strategies to accommodate recent newcomers. Beth shares simple yet effective tips to scaffold lessons effectively.
2. Creating Inclusive Spaces: Beth discusses scaffolds that work well for homeroom teachers, ensuring that newcomers feel involved, safe, and excited about learning.
3. Collaboration is Key: Whether you’re a homeroom teacher or an ESL teacher, Beth highlights the power of collaboration in supporting ELL students. Together, educators can focus their efforts where they matter most.
4. Empowering Newcomers: Beth shares strategies to encourage and empower newcomers, helping them build confidence in their language learning journey.
5. Practical Scaffolding Techniques: Discover five easy but impactful ways to scaffold whole group lessons, ensuring that students unlock content at their language level while staying engaged and excited about learning.

Remember, every effort you make in scaffolding lessons and supporting newcomers has a profound impact on their educational journey. We hope that this resource serves as a guiding light for educators embarking on the journey of supporting newcomers in their classrooms. 

For anyone feeling overwhelmed with their ELLs, the Equipping ELLs Membership offers a supportive community and endless valuable resources. From lesson plans to coaching calls, the membership provides you with everything you need for your school year!