Module 5: Instructional Challenge

As your school year starts, you realize that you have three ELLs who are newcomers to the United States. Discuss how a comprehensive literacy program addresses their needs, drawing attention to specific components of the framework that are particularly relevant. Then discuss any additional scaffolding you would offer to support these children's needs.

I think a comprehensive literacy program can be very helpful in meeting the needs of the ELL students, specifically reading workshop and writing workshop. Modeling is one of the best strategies to assist ELL students and is a component of both workshops. During reading workshop, I strongly believe read alouds are a great way to provide instruction on how to read fluently, how to think and respond to a story, and how to read with expression. These are all important skills to learn and I feel the best way to learn to read with expression is by listening and watching a proficient reader. I’m a big believer of guided reading. It’s a great way to provide instruction on the students’ individual needs in order to push them further in their reading ability. Guided reading will allow me to focus on the ELL’s specific needs and zone in on the skills that are causing frustration or difficulty. During guided reading, I would focus on vocabulary, phonics, and back ground knowledge to help the students to understand stories completely.

Since reading and writing go hand in hand, I would also provide modeling for the student through writing aloud. In order for students to know and understand how to write, they first need to see what writing looks like. By modeling, students are exposed to what writing should be and how to write. (Writing from left to right) Guided writing will allow me as the teacher to focus in on areas students are having difficulties in and provide instruction that will allow students to practice in a safe area before writing on their own.

Modeling is a big component in teaching ELL and is part of the comprehensive literacy program. With the use of modeling, a teacher can provide as much support in the beginning and gradually start pulling some support away as the student begins to show progress or growth in what was once the weak areas. I believe the comprehensive literacy program is a great way to address the needs of all learners, not just ELL.