Using Anchor Charts during Distance Learning
Welcome all-star teachers! As we jump into today’s topic, I would like you to reflect on your wins for the week. This will allow you some for growth and celebrate some of your highlights for the week.
Many of our ELLs are struggling with remote learning because of the lack of technology or internet access. This pandemic is highlighting the growing problem many students in poverty are facing daily.
To help combat this inequality a lot of ESL teachers are sending work packets and booklets home to provide their students with some learning during remote learning. Sending these work packets home will provide the students some exposure, however some English Language Learners will require additional support.
Like many teachers I was struggling with my students showing up to the online classes. An option that students have is to receive work booklets that they can complete without any internet access. This does provide an option for students without internet access however they still need support.
I was thinking and brainstorming how teachers can provide some support for those students who only have access to the work packets. The question kept floating around what is a scaffold I can give those ELLs that are picking up the work booklets.
As I was planning one of the virtual lessons, I was thinking about adding anchor charts for support. A light bulb went off and I thought that it would be beneficial if I could print these out for the students and give them the anchor charts.
I realized that including anchor charts would be the perfect scaffold for those students who are picking up workbooks. If the workbooks have the option of citing evidence there can be a mini anchor chart to accompany the task. This will provide a visual and a scaffold for ELLs who do not have access to the internet or virtual lessons.
So let’s break down how you can use this strategy if you are sending home workbooks and paper assignments for your ELLs. First look at the skills that the workbook is asking your ELLs to do. Let’s use the example of annotating. If the article is asking your ELLs to annotate, create an anchor chart that illustrates the steps of how to annotate.
For every standard and skill there is an anchor chart out there. I would suggest looking on Teachers Pay Teachers and Pinterest for anchor charts you can attach to the workbooks that you are providing for your ELLs.
Here are your next steps:
- Review the workbook for any skills that are being taught to your ELLs.
- Find an accompanying anchor chart that is rich in visuals to provide with the workbook.
- Search on places such as Teacher Pay Teachers or Pinterest for some free anchor charts to accompany the skills in the workbook.
Please share how you are providing additional supports to your ELLs during this time.
