Resources for Teaching Elementary ESL Writing
Helping Teachers Scaffold for Primary English Language Learners
Nov 15, 2009
Teaching writing with students who are learning English as their second language provides unique challenges. There are a number of resources available to help teachers create writing curriculums and writers workshop experiences with a focus on English language learners.
Books About Teaching Writing to English Language Learners
The following are books specific to developing writing programs for cluster, immersion, and even bilingual classrooms. Because reading and writing are equal parts of a balanced literacy program, many of the books included in this list attend to both disciplines.
- Writing Sense: Integrated Reading and Writing Lessons for English Language Learners by Juli Kendall and Outey Khoun [Stenhouse, 2006] – utilizes the thinking strategies so common to reading instruction (making connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, etc) to strengthen K-8 ELLs’ writing skills.
- The Words Came Down: English Language Learners Read, Write and Talk Across the Curriculum by Emelie Parker and Tess Pardini [Stenhouse, 2006] – explores the use of the workshop paradigm in K-2 classrooms as a vehicle for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of ELLs.
- Teaching Reading and Writing in Spanish and English in Bilingual and Dual Language Classrooms by David E. Freeman & Yvonne E. Freeman [Heinemann, 2006] – in its second edition with updates based on new research, this book describes the most current models and offers strategies for effective teaching.
- Becoming One Community: Reading & Writing with English Language Learners by Kathleen Fay & Suzanne Whaley [Stenhouse, 2004] - written for the general classroom teacher whose students include ESL students and for ESL teachers working in general classrooms, the focus is on grades 3-6.
The following books are for general classroom use, but come highly recommended. Some include strategies for ESL populations, but all can be adapted for use with English language learners, whether in general or bilingual classrooms.
- Teaching Writing in a Title I School by Nancy Akhavan [Heinemann, 2009] – this practical guide for K-3 classrooms with large populations of struggling students includes planning tools, lessons, and graphic organizers.
- A Quick Guide to Reaching Struggling Writers by Lucy Calkins and M. Colleen Cruz [Heineman, 2008] – this mini-book for K-5 teachers is part of the Workshop Help Desk Series.
- A Quick Guide to Teaching Persuasive Writing, K-2 by Lucy Calkins and Sarah Picard Taylor [Heinemann, 2008] – another in the Workshop Help Desk Series, this book is just 96 pages.
- Reclaiming Reluctant Writers by Kellie Buis [Stenhouse, 2007] – practical guide to helping struggling K-8 writers learn to organize their writing and find their voice.
- Units of Study for Teaching Writing by Lucy Calksins [Heinemann, 2006] – this excellent boxed set of instructional manuals comes in both K-2 and 3-5 versions. Heinemann also offers DVDs showing the program in action, as well as professional development programs by the authors.
- Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices by Ralph Fletcher [Stenhouse, 2006] – Fletcher, an author of children’s books, has written many books on writing for teachers and adult writers. He understand what kids need to motivate them to believe in themselves as writers and to progress.
- Writing Essentials: Raising Expectations and Results While Simplifying Teaching by Reggie Routman [Heinemann, 2004) – includes practical strategies for organizing a writing classroom including a five day lesson planning guide.
- About the Authors: Writing Workshop with Our Youngest Writers by Katie Wood Ray [Heinemann, 2004] – focuses on primary writing workshops for K-2 classrooms. Includes illustrative DVD.
- What You Know By Heart: How to Develop Curriculum For Your Writing Workshop by Katie Wood Ray [Heinemann, 2002] – this guide for K-8 teachers personalizes the writing curriculum by relating it to a teacher’s everyday reading life.
There are many strategies for scaffolding primary ESL students’ writing, but some teachers may be looking for ways to build a broader writing curriculum. The books suggested above provide an array of information on creating and managing writing workshops as well suggestions for focusing on students who struggle to express themselves in writing, especially English language learners.
For more helpful information on English language learners read "Understanding ESL Students' Language Development" and "Supporting ESL Students in Inclusive Classrooms."
 |
