Yes, we need to show students what to do to become more fluent. That is in the “What to do Right Now” part of this episode. But it falls flat if you are not helping them reflect on how far they have come, and showing them where they could be in a few months, years.. and beyond.
You can listen to this episode in your favorite podcast app or right here:
Listen to “BAP 125 The Past, The Future, and What to do RIGHT NOW” on Spreaker.
Looking Back at the Past
Help them reflect:
*Look how far you have come.
*Realize your growth.
Help students realize that they HAVE made progress with things like:
- Comprehension (you understand more today than before).
- High Frequency Words
- Sounds of English Letters and blends, etc.
- How to get around the school
- Anything else they know now vs. when they arrived
Show them growth! Example from Kim Thyberg on Twitter:
Looking Ahead to the Future
Where do you want to be in ___ months?
Download a Goal Setting Sheet at this post and get lots of insight from Larry Ferlazzo.
Show them folks like them that are crushing it – Look at the Long Game
Pamela Broussard has curated this great list for us to use.
Here are more folks like them!
5 ways to build a growth mindset with SLIFE from the #BoostingAchievement of SLIFE book
TODAY – What to do Now
What you can do right now that will have a big effect.
Help them understand how to build their fluency (this excerpt will help you explain it to students).
TOP TIPS:
- Do SOME output every day. Even if they are by themselves – repeat English aloud. And write/copy some English each day.
- Re-read familiar text for fluency. Reading is KEY, according to lead researcher Stephen Krashen.
- Listening to audiobooks while your eyes track the print – just BE in English text more minutes a day.
- Up your minutes a day of tracking print with free sites like:
Remind them to practice patience and realize that each day brings more ability.
Apply this to your own practice:
The Past: As I work with Newcomers, do I realize how much my knowledge base has grown? About them? About practices?
The Future: Where do I hope to be by the end of the school year? Set some clear goals about habits or PD that you want.
TODAY: What can you do right now (Small Moves by Nancy Motley) that would have a big effect? How do we turn things into habits and how are we challenging our beliefs and our own mindset? Here are a few videos by Nancy Motely so you can get some of that learning for free:
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Please reach out if we can support you. Email me at Carol@SeidlitzEducation.com
Thank you for stopping by this podcast.
Take good care,
Carol