Plan Engaging Winter Lessons

Hey teachers! I hope you had an amazing holiday, and I am so excited that you are here this evening. In today’s blog I will be providing you some ideas for some winter lesson activities that you can use for your ELLs. It’s that’s time of the year and you might be planning for your second semester, and have no idea of what you plan to teach. This can lead to frustration and cause a planning mental block.

At the beginning of the second semester, I take time and plan for the new year. Last year as I was planning….I got stuck! I had a mental block and couldn’t come up with some engaging activities for my ELLs. I thought and thought and finally I stepped away for a nice walk. I needed some time and space to come up with ideas to plan lessons for my ELLs. After my walk I felt energized, I also had some ideas for some lessons.

I sat down with my planner and colorful pens and started brainstorming my lessons. First, I decided on having the students set goals for the new year. Then, I turned this into a writing and speaking activity to reinforce these skills for my students. In addition, I wanted to introduce my students to the history of slavery in the United States. This lead me to create a close reading about Black History Month. This was important in building background knowledge and at the same time focus on the students reading skills. I knew I needed one more good activity for the year. So of course I landed on a novel study to round out the winter.

Here are some ideas that you can use for some winter lessons:

1. During the first week back at school after winter break, do some goal setting. This activity can be transformed into a writing and speaking activities. For example, you can have the students write an essay about their goals and use my writing rubric to have the students grade themselves. Then have the students share their goals (if they feel comfortable) on an app like Flipgrid.
2. Design a close reading about winter topics such as snow, winter holidays, or events such as Black History Month. You can use this close reading and focus on the four domains of language. Just a reminder those four domains are reading, listening, speaking, and writing. If you are stuck on designing a close reading, simply find a nonfiction article that compliments some of the winter topics.
3. Do a novel study with your students. You can find books that are centered around winter topics. When you do the novel think of a culminating project that you want your students to complete. It is okay to use a smaller novel or a graphic novel with your ELLs.

Adventurers here are your next steps:

1. Plan three activities that you are going to do with your ELLs for the winter. Be sure to take into account some of their interests.
2. Download the Close Reading Planning Page by The Classroom Key

What is your favorite winter activity to do with your ELLs?