Supporting Literacy Development: Making Reading and/or Writing

Accessible to ELLs.

Your task is to create a portfolio artifact (something that is ready for you to implement in a
classroom) that supports students reading or writing. This is open to your discretion- the goal is
to create an activity you will use that uses at least one of the strategies we have been discussing/
working on in class to increase ELLs reading and writing success. See the template below for
the elements of the artifact. You will turn this (and all supporting materials) in electronically to
Canvas in ED 434, and also post it to your Technology ePortfolio if you are in ED 479. See the
rubric in Canvas.
What standards will this assignment meet?
Quality Standard II: Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse
population of students.
Quality Standard III: Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that
facilitates learning for their students.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education

8.22 (2) (c) implement effective teaching strategies, which include a wide variety of linguistic experiences
for second-language students.
8.22 (3) The educator of linguistically diverse students is knowledgeable about language teaching
methodology and instructional techniques for teaching a wide range of linguistically diverse students, K-12,
founded on scientifically-based research and proven and effective applications; content based strategies;
identification, selection, evaluation, design and adaptation of appropriate instructional materials; and child
and adolescent literature from various cultures, and is able to:
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education: 8.22 (3) (c) plan and implement instruction so that it is
systemic, sequential, well-articulated, and delivered in an engaging environment. 8.22 (3) (d) select and
utilize instructional materials and resources that are age, grade level, and language proficiency appropriate,
aligned with the curriculum, English language proficiency standards, and English language arts content
standards, to maintain and/or improve student achievement.
Jamie Henderson
Grade level: 4th Grade
Content Area: Writing
Colorado Academic Standard: Standard 3, Question 2
How does a graphic organizer assist a writer?
WIDA Standard:
Standard 2 English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for
academic success in the content area of Language Arts
Overview of Activity (explanation/instructions)- Be detailed enough for a substitute to use this in
your absence:
This activity will take couple class periods to complete. First, I will ask the students to bring an artifact of
sentimental value in. The artifact can be anything that the student is passionate about or has personal
meaning. On the first day, I will ask the students to fill out a graphic organizer about their artifact. This will
help get their ideas on paper. The three topics that I want them to address are why it is special, how did they
get it and a brief description of what it is. This part should not take more then thirty minutes. After
completing the graphic organizer, the next step will be to take the information from the organizer and create
an essay out of it. The essay needs to be at least five paragraphs long with an introduction and a concluding
paragraph. If the students are truly passionate about their artifact, the length should easily be met. After,
finishing the first draft, I will pair the students up and have them peer review each others essays. Once they
finish peer reviewing, they can pair up with another student in the class. I will let them chose themselves

who they want to work with. The next step will be to practice presenting their essay. I will give the students
about thirty to forty minutes of rehearsal time before they present to the class. The student should have a
fair idea of how their essay goes and should not read from it. However, they will have a copy of their paper
with them if they do get stuck.
Justification for the Activity (with citations from the readings)- Explain how this supports students
oral language development. Be detailed enough that it is clear that you have read the readings in
depth. Be sure to cite at least two sources.
ELLs face the challenge of learning to listen, speak, read and write in English at the same time they are
also expected to meet the same grade-level academic content standards as their English proficient peers.
(Wright Page 263) The only way to get better at anything is to practice and this activity will give ELLs
practice writing and presenting about something they are passionate about. If students are passionate about
something, it will be a lot easier for them to write about it and then present it. Strategies for modifying text
in textbooks include outlining, using graphic organizers (Wright Page 267) The graphic organizer will
help a lot in the beginning by outlining what specific information they need. A simple but effective oral
presentation is the traditional show and tell. Students show something cool they have brought from home,
tell their classmates about it, and answer questions about it. (Wright Page 169) The whole lesson is pretty
much a more advanced show and tell. Again, if students are presenting about something they are passionate
about, they will be more confidant and enjoy telling the rest of the class about their artifact.

Artifacts All materials and documents needed to deliver your activity (instructions for students,
handouts, photographs of realia, technology, examples, etc.)

Grading CRITERIA: 50 points

Framework

10 points

Overview of Activity

10 points

Justification for the

Activity

10 points

Artifact(s)

20 points

Grade level, content area, and detailed standards (both state

standards and WIDA standards) are included and align with the
oral language development activity.
The description clearly explains the purpose of the activity and
how it will be delivered to students. The oral language activity
is appropriate for grade level, content area and WIDA language
proficiency levels 2(beginning) 3(developing).
There is a thorough explanation of how the activity/ strategy
supports oral language development and readings are cited
correctly.
The materials and documents needed to deliver the activity
show careful planning and preparation. They would be able to
be used in a classroom immediately. They show attention to
detail and creativity.

Name________________

Date____________

Instructions: Take the information from your graphic organizer and write an essay about your artifact. I
would advise to use the three bubbles as your body paragraphs. Make sure to have an introduction,
conclusion and 3 body paragraphs.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Name________________________

Date________________

Instructions: Create a graphic organizer of your artifact. If you run out of room in the bubbles, it is fine to
write on the white space.

Why is it special?

Name of artifact

Description of artifact.

How did you get it?