Peer Review

Peer Review Training for English Language Learners

Several years ago, I was given the responsibility of teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) in a sheltered learning environment. Most of the students in the class were Spanish-speaking and had difficulty understanding rules, classroom procedures, and even how to complete assignments. To effectively communicate with my students, I decided to learn Spanish. Even if it was on a basic level, I was convinced that speaking Spanish would increase my ability to convey necessary information regarding learning expectations. What began as a way to connect with students evolve

Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning and Vocabulary

As I continue to unpack the fundamentals of Project-Based Learning, I have begun to realize the very important role that vocabulary plays in this process.   Without content vocabulary knowledge, it is likely that students will have difficulty doing their very best on a project. Placing an emphasis on vocabulary can be beneficial for students because it reinforces the meanings of terms that they will need to understand as they work to complete a rigorous project. In the past, I made the mistake of assuming that I had done a good job of teaching the material and

Project Based Learning

3 Ways to Manage ELL Collaboration During Project-Based Learning

As an educator who has been teaching for some time, I have assigned projects for my students on various occasions. Many of the finished products were absolutely amazing, showing that they were extremely creative and capable of thinking critically. Looking back, I realized how well students did on the projects I assigned despite my limited knowledge of how to use the project to take their learning experiences to the next level. Back then, my main focus was the project itself, not creating teams to do the work. Because most groups were in sync and communicated well, these we