Narrative paragraphs for ELL beginners

[Sarah Russell]

My ELL Beginners have an upcoming final exam that includes writing a narrative paragraph. They will have to write similar paragraphs on their semester finals next year also. Some of them will be juniors next year and will have to take the High School Proficiency Writing exam, which asks them to write a narrative as one of two essays. Learning to write structured narratives that are rich in detail is important and I have focused only on less challenging, more structured forms of writing with them so far this year, such as summaries of nonfiction stories and fables and Haiku. I have not developed lessons for them yet that help them see the structure of narratives, the variety of details that could be included or how to structure those details into a compelling narrative. Although I will spend the coming weeks on planning, structuring and revising the paragraphs, I will focus on developing, choosing and using appropriate details to tell the narratives. This is a little different with ELL Beginners than for other students because their vocabulary is more limited. I will need to help them take chances with the vocabulary they have and get a little more comfortable with bilingual dictionaries (although they can't use the dictionaries on assessments). Students will brainstorm details using the five senses to match events and feelings and will use signal words to string the ideas together. I have not yet read up on the research behind this so have not planned any lessons but hope to soon.

[Gisela Daniel]

Even though I learned English in School, I never actually use it until I moved here when I was already an adult. I can understand how your ELL students learn. I don’t have all the answer but when you have specific questions about your students I might be able to help you understand their process better. Just email me [e-mail]. Also you should look into GLAD strategies they are very effective and they are design to prepare the students to write, narrative and expository pieces.

[Amy Webber]

I teach at a school that is over 50 percent ESL and understand the fact that vocabulary is limited with many students. I think brainstorming is a great way to help all students get their ideas onto the paper without the worry of grammar and spelling. You state "developing, choosing and using details to tell the marratives." I am very interested in this part because it sounds like the students will be "revising" while they are drafting. I love it!

[Stacey Saulsgiver]

65% of my school's population is ELL. I too feel for the youngster having to make such gains in every aspect of education just to be in the middle ground. It is exhausting to think about all the procedures they go thorough with every subject.
You have some great ideas about breaking down the process and making it approachable for your students. Did you get the e-mail that they are changing the high school writing prompt in a few years? I believe it will be persuasive. I think this is going to be extremely difficult for ELLs because they would have to defend their convictions in writing which is challenging when learning a new language.

[Temoca Dixon]

Hi Sarah,

I work on the ESL team at my school and I understand the struggles of showing progress. I have tried to read up on lessons and books to help me better support my ELL students. I don't have the answers and I'm still trying to find my way to help my ELL kiddos transition from their ELL Language Arts class to my general ed. class, but I have really worked on word study with my students and we have words posted all over the class. I am always so excited to see them using some of those words in thier writing. Isabell Beck has a great book, Bringing Words to Life about word study and the kids collect words. We have 100 horsepower vs. 500 horsepower word groups posted on the wall in the front of the class. It has helped the students to have access to those words daily and for us to revisit the words in discussions or as a reminder when they are getting ready to write.

I'm excited about your presentation. I would love helpful tips to bring back to my classroom.

Temoca