Assessment is an integral part of learning, particularly for English Learners. Having an effective strategy for ongoing formative assessment is critical to accelerate literacy development. Read on to learn how to take advantage of Footsteps2Brilliance’s advanced assessment algorithms and comprehensive Class Dashboard reports to get the most out of assessments without taking away from important instructional time.

English Learners thrive in classrooms that are asset-based. Asset-based pedagogy views the diversity that students bring to the classroom as strengths and assets, not weaknesses or deficits. English Learners bring cultural and linguistic diversity to your classroom. Creating an environment that celebrates and honors those assets will help your English Learners–and the rest of your class–thrive. Learn how to create that environment in this week’s Teacher Tip Tuesday. 

Language learning, like many things, is easiest when you start with what you know. English Learners bring a rich understanding of their home language to your classroom. Read on for strategies and resources for using the valuable knowledge students already have to facilitate English language acquisition.

Fostering a love of writing is a great way to help your English Learners express themselves! In this week’s Teacher Tip Tuesday, we talk about ways to scaffold writing to make it accessible to all students. We use a social-emotional learning (SEL) connection to encourage self-expression. You can incorporate these strategies into any writing unit to make writing less daunting and more fun! Read through the example lesson below and extend your learning about teaching writing at the end of the post. 

If you’ve ever tried to learn another language, you may agree that speaking can be the scariest part. Expressing your thoughts out loud while learning a new language is daunting, especially for our students. It’s natural for English Learners to experience these feelings. It’s important to foster an environment where students feel safe speaking, even if they make mistakes, and that these mistakes will help them grow. This will empower them to use oral language and will accelerate literacy acquisition. 

In today’s tip, learn how to give students the tools they need to practice oral language with Footsteps2Brilliance.

Strengthening background knowledge is crucial for effective literacy instruction, especially for English Learners. It’s also the perfect time to tap into what excites your students most! For many, that’s Amazing Amphibians. Read on to learn how to use this book unit to help your English Learners gain important scientific background knowledge. 

If you’ve ever noticed that your English Learners (or any students) can decode like pros, but are not showing the same levels of skill in comprehension yet, read on to see how to use the Footsteps2Brilliance book unit, Get out the Clothes, and a corresponding vocabulary game to help your students thrive!