Teaching Reading to English Language Learners, Grades 6-12 : A Framework for Improving Achievement in the Content Areas

English Language Learners are no longer confined to just a few states, but can be found in just about every classroom. Without strong reading skills, ELLs cannot develop to their fullest potential and are at greater risk for dropping out of school. Many ELLs don't fully develop their literacy skills in the elementary grades or begin their schooling in middle or high school. And most mainstream teachers may not have the training and preparation to teach language minority students. This resource provides assistance to teachers who struggle with the question of how to appropriately present complex subject matter to students who are just learning to speak English. With funding from the Carnegie Corporation and the US Department of Education, Margarita Calder=n and her associates developed the ExCELL (Expediting Comprehension for English Language Learners) model. From this successful program they created the ExC-ELL Observation Protocola tool for planning content lessons; coaching for literacy coaches not familiar with ELL instruction; supervision by administrators; teacher self-reflection; peer coaching; and conducting classroom research. This practical guide is full of ready-to-use tools, including:Lesson templatesRubricsSample lesson plans in mathematics, science, language arts, and social studiesDescriptions of successful programsProfessional development designsThis book is designed for middleand high school teachers of English, science, math, and social studies who teach one or more ELL students. Middle and high school principals, literacy coaches, content curriculum specialists, and central office administrators will find this to be a useful tool in raising the achievement of ELLs.