Another Year Has Ended!

It is hard to believe that another school year has ended.  This year went by like a flash!  We had a packed year of project work, writing and English language development.  We ended our year with a reflection using an app called Padlet.  I want to thank all of my students, families and other teachers I work with for another wonderful year of learning here at Allen Brook School.  Click on the link below to see our digital reflection wall!  Have a wonderful summer!

2016 ELL Reflections

Fall Projects 2015


Once again, we have had a busy fall, and as always it is hard to believe that the holiday break is close at hand.  Here are some of our ELL project highlights!  We are proud of what we have to share and of what we have learned!  But mostly, we grew as people and enjoyed learning more English together!

Have a wonderful break and Happy Holidays!

Happy Winter!

We designed and created holiday decorations that lit up using Squishy Circuits and littleBits.

 

We pictured ourselves in the future and explored a career.

We wrote and shared our stories of kindness.

We complied a portfolio of Things I Know About.

 

We created, presented and wrote about life cycles.

We read together. 

Brothers Buddy Reading

 We discussed how our school rules help us learn.

"At Allen Brook School we are kind because we can make friends and we can learn from each other." - grade 1 student

"At Allen Brook School we use quiet voices.  I like this because I don't get distracted when writing."  - grade 1 student

"At Allen Brook School we use our kind manners so that we won't be mean.  This helps me learn because I won't get distracted." - grade 2 student

"Allen Brook School is a good place to learn because we don't hit each other and we never do that never ever.  We keep our hands to ourselves."  - grade 1 student

 We shared where we are from and decorated our ELL classroom with our flags, pictures and mini-books about ourselves!

 

School's Out!  Summer's Here! 

It is hard to believe that another school year is over!  We have grown and changed, and are now ready to relax and rest!  When looking back at the school year here are some of the thoughts my students shared with me about their learning this year.  It has been a wonderful year! Thank you!

"I liked all the drawing we did."
"I liked the drawing and writing my letters."
"I learned how to rhyme."
"I really liked the sorts."
"I liked when I wrote the swan poem and everything in the ELL room."
"I wrote books and learned words."
"I liked doing projects."
"I liked everything."

Reflection Journals a Year of Learning!

This year students kept an ELL Reflection Journal.  By keeping a journal, students had an authentic purpose for keeping a record of their learning in the ELL room.  It also provided students a way to develop their English language skills by describing their learning experiences:  what they did, what they thought and what they felt! At the end of the year, their journals became a wonderful visual and written record of their own growth that they could take home and share with their families.  I asked students to share their favorite page in their journal with me.  Here are a few experts!  It has been a wonderful year of learning and growing together!

"This is my favorite page because I am sorting with my buddy."

"I learned about tapirs.  I wrote a report about tapirs.  I felt happy about this because it was fun.  I got to interview some people.  The interview became an iMovie.  And I got to write a poem." 

 

 "I built a circuit.  I learned about electricity." 

A Gift of Books for Summer Reading

This May the Rotary made a generous gift of books to Allen Brook School ELL students.  Each of the 23 ELL students here at ABS received 2 books to take home and keep!  One student already told me this morning that she loves Gus Loses A Tooth so much, that she is reading it everyday, so she can get good enough to read it to her class!  We are grateful to the Rotary!  

Click here to watch:Thank you for the books!

 

Happy Reading!

Spring Poems 
& 
My Life in Colors iPad Project

Spring Poems
This spring Kindergarten ELL students have been writing poems about the new season.  They have had an opportunity to observe and talk about the changes they are noticing around them. And then, to describe these ordinary things using describing and action words.  We enjoyed writing and sharing them with each other!

My Life in Colors
First and second grade ELL students, got a chance to explore how images and words work together to create a message about themselves and what is important to them in their lives, by making a slideshow using an app on the iPad called Haiku Deck. They shared their presentations in small groups and got a chance to practice important public speaking skills such as, making eye contact with the audience and speaking in a clear, loud voice.  Here is a selection of some of our favorite slides from each of our slideshows!

Multicultural Celebration 2015
Hosted by World Language and ELL Program

Each year, the Multicultural Celebration at Williston Central School, is a great time and this year was no different!  The evening included live musical performances, student projects and a potluck tasting of international foods.  Students, families and teachers alike all had a fun night of sharing their cultures, our community's diversity and language around the world! I am always grateful to all of my colleagues who put this event together each year, to all of the students who share their academic work and songs, and to all of the families who bring in amazingly delicious food!