Hands-On English Language Learning for Middle Years (Grades 4-6)

Jennifer E. Lawson, PhD, is the creator of the Hands-On books published by Portage & Main Press. As senior writer and editor for the series, she has contributed to more than 50 publications for teachers and students. Jennifer provides professional development workshops for educators locally, nationally, and virtually, and is a Workplace Wellness Advisor. Her most recent book is a collective effort called Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators. She is also one of the founders of Mission to Mexico, an organization that supports schools in some of the most impoverished communities in Puerto Vallarta. Throughout her extensive career in education, Jennifer has worked as a classroom teacher, resource and special education teacher, consultant, principal, university instructor, and school trustee. She lives with her family in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

• Introduction to Hands-On English Language Learning 1Program Introduction 1Who Are English Language Learners (ELLs)? 1Stages of Language Acquisition 1Program Principles 2The Middle-Years Learner 4Topics of Study 4Program Implementation 5Tips for Teachers 7Classroom Environment 7Timelines 8Classroom Management 8Cooperative Learning Activities 8Peer Helpers 9Important Notes About Terminology 9Using Care and Sensitivity 10Scope and Sequence Charts for Hands-On English Language Learning 11Subject-Area Correlation 20Hands-On English Language Learning Assessment Plan 32Introduction 32Cultural Knowledge 32Cultural Competency 32Purposes of Classroom-Based Assessment for Language Learning and Use 33Assessment Tasks Appropriate for Middle-Years English Language Learners 33Teacher Considerations When Assessing Middle-Years English Language Learners 34Assessment Tools 34Assessment Reproducibles 37References 41Module 1 43Introduction 44Books for Students 48Websites 501 Greetings/Social Communication 512 The Classroom 583 The School 654 School Activities 715 The Alphabet 766 Colours 837 Numbers, Counting, and Math 888 The Calendar – Days of the Week 999 The Calendar – Months of the Year 10410 Personal Information 10911 Culminating Activity: Creating A Board Game 117References for Teachers 121Module 2 123Introduction 124Books for Students 128Websites 1301 Emotions 1322 Clothing 1393 Food 1474 Body Parts and Health 1595 Physical Activities 1686 Hobbies and Interests 1757 Music and Instruments 1818 Homes 1899 The Community 19610 Ordering Food 20311 Technology 21112 Culminating Activity: Creating an “All About Me” Electronic Portfolio 216References for Teachers 220Module 3 223Introduction 224Books for Students 228Websites 2301 Canadian Geography 2322 Canadian Symbols 2423 Celebrations and Holidays 2484 Relationships 2575 Rules, Laws, and Responsibility 2626 Government 2687 World Geography 2778 North America 2839 Cultural Diversity 28810 Our World Community 29511 Basic Human Needs 29912 Human Rights 30713 The Media 31314 Culminating Activity: Designing a Newspaper 319References for Teachers 323Module 4 325Introduction 326Books for Students 330Websites 3321 Nature 3362 Weather and Seasons 3433 Animals of Canada 3524 Plants of Canada 3635 Natural Habitats 3726 Importance of the Environment 3797 Human Impact on the Environment 3848 Air Pollution 3899 Water 39510 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 40111 Saving Energy 40612 Culminating Activity: Sustainability Life Practices 410References for Teachers 414Module 5 415Introduction 416Step 1: Assessment for Learning 416Step 2: Curriculum Review 417Step 3: Instructional Strategies 418Making Connections to Prior Knowledge 418Building Vocabulary 420Conceptual Understanding 421Conducting Research 422The Language-Rich Classroom 424Other Things to Consider for Unit Planning 425Concluding Note to Teachers 426Unit Planning Reproducibles 427References 430Access Digital Resources 431