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Goal

Our ELL (English Language Learner) population has tripled in the past three years (8 students to now 27 students). We are anticipating even more growth next year. We are planning to provide two classes in a block next year called Developmental Language Arts Through ESOL (#1002381) and English Language Development (#1002380). We need curriculum and materials for these new courses. This is where this grant can benefit us greatly. We want to purchase specific curriculum and materials that will give our teacher(s) and bi-lingual aide(s) guidance in helping our ELLs attain English as their second language at a faster pace. These materials will be the backbone of the writing, speaking, listening, and reading that are daily activities in this class so these students can be more successful in all their classes and in their life. Our school goal is to close the gap between our ELLs and their English-speaking peers. With older students, the statistics show they need 5 – 7 years to acquire a new language. We are hoping to speed that process along with these two classes.  

What will be done with my students

Realistically, I would purchase these materials as soon as I hear that our grant is funded (usually the end of November). I and my bilingual aide would plan to use these new materials with our current single class of ELL students (21) we have this year in our Intensive Writing class as soon as they arrive. The first materials would benefit our ELLS who are still trying to learn English. These thirteen students would have access to the materials provided from one box set to include four of each title of twenty non-fiction and fiction books from five genres of study, lesson plans, guided reading questions, comprehension activities, a reproducible CD, assessments, thumb drive for word-to-word audiobooks, vocabulary cards with five words per book. Another set of materials will be geared towards our higher Lexile reader ELLs (eight students) who are not necessarily learning English, but need to practice their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in order to pass the Florida State Assessment (FSA) ELA test. This set will include thirteen titles of non-fiction graphic biographies that will teach students about historical figures. Being that they are graphic (picture) novels, this will enable my students to bridge that gap between what they already know and what they need to learn in order to be successful. Lastly, there are two sets of novels (thirty-eight books total) that are age appropriate and high interest with their lower Lexile levels in order to expand their knowledge about the curriculum. Students can give short book talks after they read, journal while reading, study vocabulary that is new or not familiar to them, create a one-pager, and write a review of each book for future students.

These activities will take place in my classroom with me and our bilingual aide(s) every day during 2nd period Intensive Writing for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. I would anticipate that next year we would have our lower ELLs in these block style classes that would be offered two class periods in a row. I have no way of knowing what our master schedule would be for the 2020-2021 school year as of right now.  

Benefits to my students

Students will be evaluated periodically using STAR Reading Assessment (they took one in August as a baseline) throughout the year; this will track their Lexile and their growth. We have goals that each ELL student will grow at least one grade level each year based on STAR Reading assessments. The box set for our lower ELLs has activities and assessments built into the lesson plans that will assist our teacher(s) and bilingual aide(s) in evaluating students. Our upper ELLs will have activities to complete during their reading that will highlight their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

As an eternal optimist, I see huge gains in the future for these students who have access to these materials! I also anticipate that all students will have higher grades in their other classes due to their new language acquisitions. Finally, we should see scores on the FSA ELA test to raise for all students.

My hope is that our students will find books at their reading level and interest level that they want to read. We are creating readers who become better learners while acquiring the language.  

Budget Narrative

First, one Go!Engage box set will include 4 of each title of twenty non-fiction and fiction books from five genres of study, lesson plans, guided reading questions, comprehension activities, a reproducible CD, assessments, thumb drive for word-to-word audiobooks, vocabulary cards with five words per book. Next, the Graphic Biographies set will include thirteen titles of non-fiction graphic biographies that will teach students about historical figures. Lastly, there are two sets of Young Adult Paperback Collection novels (thirty-eight books total) that are age appropriate and high interest with their lower Lexile levels in order to expand their knowledge about the curriculum.  

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