Journal Prompts For ELL Students using Google Slides

In order for my ELL students to continue some kind of virtual learning, I created these Google slides as journal prompts. In my district, students are not required to do work for a grade during this quarantine. Therefore, coming up with something engaging was very necessary!

I created 10 slides with different journal topics. Students can write on the slide and return it to you. Of course many of my kids write on a separate piece of paper and send it to me. These prompts are best for Middle School and High School Students.

Each question is followed by a sentence frame. Depending on the level of your students, you may want to write your own response first. 

See some examples below:

Check them out here:

ESL Journal Prompts - Google Slides

Thanks for looking!

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My Favorite Games for the ESL Classroom (plus a freebie!)

I love to use games in my ESL classroom. Not only is it a great team bonding exercise as my students of different languages will have to work together, but it just a fun way to learn! I usually have game days when I know any of my planned lessons will go out the window, like the day before break or after a long day of WIDA or state testing.
Plus, I really think it's important to let the kids have some fun once in while. I will definitely get in on the games, too. I have found that playing games with my students helps to develop a great rapport with them (and a little more respect when I beat them).  They are off their phones, they are engaged and playing in a low stress environment. Finally, so many of my students do not have games at home and thus the concept of sitting around with your family playing board games is a new experience for them.

So here are my top picks for the best ESL classroom games....  (Scroll to the bottom for a freebie!)
(Affiliate links are included.)

1.  Guess Who? Guess Who? is my favorite game of all! It is the perfect way to practice asking and answering yes/no questions AND to review physical appearances.
Guess Who? is similar to "20 Questions", in which players take turns asking yes/no questions about the other's mystery character. For example, "Is your person wearing glasses?" or "Does your person have brown hair?"

2.   Headbanz  Headbanz is a fun game to review basic vocabulary and asking questions. One person wears a picture on his/her headband. He/she asks other players questions to determine what the picture is.  For example, "Am I an animal?" or "Am I a food?"

3. Charades Charades is always a winner in the ESL classroom. I like this version because my students don't have to be able to read since the cards are only pictures. However, there are categories which makes it a little easier.


4. Zingo!  This game works well with level 1 students who need to build their vocabulary. It is similar to Bingo. Students have to match a card with a picture and word to his/her card. When the students sees that a card matches, they have to say the word, thus practicing pronunciation and recall.


5. Scattergories  I love playing Scattergories. Players are given a list of categories and must write a word for each based on a letter.  I would recommend it for Level 3 and above ESL students.
















However, I know it is too difficult for my Level 1 and 2 students.  That's why I created this resource (below) to use with my students. It is much simpler and achievable for them. I have lists for eight different categories and a blank list for you to make up your own category. This can also be used as a  fun review after finishing a unit. For example, after finishing a "Food" unit, have students brainstorm as many vegetables as they can.

Download these free "Category" lists here!
ESL Category Game

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Autobiography Writing For ESL Students

My two favorite projects for my ESL students are their Personal Narratives and their Autobiographies. Not only is it great practice using verb tenses, but it also an excellent way to get to know your students.  I am always blown away by the amazing stories they share!
I have just completed uploading a FREE Autobiography project for you to use with your ESL students.

This autobiography has 3 parts: the past, the present and the future. You can use all three parts or just one or two parts depending on the grade level of your students.

You may want to start with Part II "My Life Now" since it covers the present tense. Then continue with "My Past" and "Coming to a New Country" followed by "My Future".

I always review each tense and then give my students the related part. This could be a project that you use throughout the year, culminating in a final Autobiography after learning all three verb tenses.

Or, you can use it all at once for more advanced students.

If you would like to download this FREE autobiography, click here!

Thanks for looking!

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ESL Classroom Expressions and Commands for Your Classroom

Create a word wall with these classroom expressions and commands for your ESL classroom! I know that getting my students to speak English aloud is a real challenge for me, especially when most of their classmates speak the same home language. I set up words and expressions around the classroom for them to refer to so there are no excuses for not trying English first. These are great for those beginner ESL students who are still learning classroom English. 

Each card has a visual to help students understand what you are saying to them or what they may want to ask you.

                                           
Which expressions/questions are included?

• I have a question.
• I don't understand the directions.
• How do you say that word?
• May I use the dictionary?
• May I borrow a pencil?
• Do we have homework?
• May I work with a partner?
• May I go to the bathroom?
• May I sharpen my pencil?
• May I use my phone?

Teacher commands:

• Sit down, please.
• Stand up.
• Go to the board, please.
• Write on the board.
• Put away your books.
• You may work with a partner.
• Open you book.
• Close your book.
• You may work in groups.

Download this free resource from my TpT store here!

P.S. In case you haven't downloaded our free ESL classroom vocabulary cards, check them out here!

Enjoy!

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St. Patrick's Day Writing Freebie

I created this lesson as a quick and fun way to practice descriptive writing. It can be used with many grades. Below I have showed an example by a first grader and by a fourth grader. Enjoy!

The first page tells the kids there is a leprechaun loose in the classroom! They must fill out a "Wanted Poster" to catch him quickly! Then you can review what adjectives are and brainstorm some words together or individually.

Next, have students come up with a funny name for the leprechaun and a reward. (My kids chose a "pot of gold" for a reward.) Kids will write a description using lots of adjectives/descriptive words.

Last, they will draw a picture of the leprechaun according to their description.

Display in the classroom for all to see!

"Larry the Leprechaun" completed by a 4th grader.

"Lucky the Leprechaun" completed by a 1st grader.

Thanks for looking! Click here to try out this FREE "Leprechaun Descriptive Writing Activity".

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Free Classroom Vocabulary Cards for Your ESL Students

Do you use Word Walls in your ESL classroom? Having a Word Wall is an easy way to display common vocabulary words that your students need to master. Word Walls serve as a reference when writing or speaking in the classroom. By including a picture with the word, the cards provide even more support in expanding a student's vocabulary. Word Walls should be displayed where all the students can see the cards. Additionally, the teacher should frequently reference the cards and model when and how to use them.

In addition to simply displaying the words in a classroom, there are a number of fun activities you can do to practice the vocabulary.

1. Head's up: Have one student hold a card on his/her forehead while a partner describes the action until he/she guesses the word.

2. Matching Game: Match the word with the picture. This is a great center or early finisher activity.

3.  Pictionary: One student will draw a picture of the word while the others try to guess it.

4.  Fly Swatter Game: Have 2 students stand to the sides of your word wall each armed with a fly swatter. The teacher (or student) gives a definition of the word. The first student to "swat" the correct word wall card wins.

I have include these free word wall cards for your ESL classroom. They include common classroom vocabulary that is essential those first weeks of school. (The cards come in black and white as well as color.) There is also a sheet included to see what your students already know. See below.

To download your free Classroom Vocabulary Word Wall Cards, click here!

Thanks for looking!

Enjoy!

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Poem in Your Pocket

April is National Poetry Month and April 27th is Poem in Your Pocket Day.
There are so many fun things to do this month and so little time!
Here is an idea to get kids reading and sharing poetry:
Create a Poem in Your Pocket bulletin board display with this free template. (Thank you to Ashley Hughes for this super template!)

It's pretty easy.....First, have students decorate a "pocket". Staple the pocket to the bulletin board. Give them a few days or longer to find a poem that they love. Bring in a copy (they could copy it by hand) and place it in their pocket. Throughout the month classmates can read each other's chosen poem.
Students could also write their own poems, too!
Click here to download this free template.

I hope you and your students enjoy the freebie.  If you are looking for more poetry resources, I created the Poetry Unit below. 
It includes directions for writing 8 poems plus templates, poetry task cards and a covers for poetry journals.

Students can create their own poetry journals. Or create a Class Poetry Journal. After learning all 8 types of poems, have each student choose a favorite and then put a journal together for the class. Leave in the classroom library for students to read throughout  the year!

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Women's History Month Freebie

March is Women's History Month!  I wanted to share a free lesson that you can use with a small window of time and some ideas for extension. This lesson can be used with upper elementary students and even in the middle school classroom.

A great and easy way to implement Women's History Month in the classroom is through a quote analysis. I compiled 8 quotes by 8 great American women. I chose quotes that would be comprehensible for upper elementary students. This handout has a color option (seen below) and a black and white option. 
Below are some ideas you use with this handout.

Quote Analysis

Have students choose (or assign students) a quote to analyze. Students can write the meaning of the quote, how it relates to the woman who said it and even how they can relate it to their own lives. Be sure to have a dictionary on hand for difficult words. 

Depending on the level of your students, they can work individually, in pairs or groups.

(A "Quote Analysis" printable is included for you!)

Illustration/Make a Poster:

Students can illustrate their favorite quote. They can also create a poster of a quote to display in the classroom.

Further Research/Extra Credit:

Have students find another quote by a famous woman that is meaningful to them and share with the class. Or, give students the option to share about a woman in history that they admire.

Click here to download this free resource. Enjoy!

For more reading on important women in history, you may enjoy this upper elementary resource:

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