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More about Common Core and how that will affect ELLs.  This article has several links...a video geared towards NNS parents (in Spanish), a video of the recent panel discussion on ELLs "rights to rigorous academic programs and content", and a link into the website to keep up with the lastest additions. 

116 pages on ELLs in city schools..."The Council of the Great City Schools conducted a comprehensive survey of its 65 district members about the English Language Learners that were enrolled and the instructional services provided to them The survey collected information on (1) district demographics and languages spoken, (2) instructional staff, (3) achievement data, and (4) financial information . The findings from this survey make up the bulk of this report. In addition, the report drew on data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data (CCD) and from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

With Common Core coming, it's worrisome to think about how ELLs will fare in this push towards standardization. Albuquerque (my old stomping grounds) is participating in this study supported by a number of groups. It might be useful to follow thiis over the next year...

I'll be interested to see the book Larry Ferlazzo has co-written - The ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide. This is link to an excerpt

Lots of you probably already know about the Colorin Colorado website.  I received the newsletter today and it included an updated version of their resources for pre-K ELLs.  A great resource for those of you who work with that age group. 

This is not too surprising, but it's worrisome. You'll see that ELLs who have only been here 1 year are included in the results, but also those who have been here longer. It just emphasizes how challenging it is to write in these timed test situations. There is also a technology component as students used word-processing programs to do the writing. A much longer article about the NAEP results was also in this edition of Ed Week, but I don't have an actual paid subscription, so I couldn't access/share that.

Well, I think there's potential with advanced level ELLs here, but also anyone who is writing a research paper (and doesn't enjoy working with APA style...or MLA or Chicago Style...and really, who does?). Take a look and see if it's something that would work for you or your students.

I checked out all 5 of the tools presented in this article, and I think all have potential...and they are all a little bit different. For some, you create a prompt; for others, you choose between many prompts; one of them has a prompt of the day (by maybe an archive too). Probably you'd pick out one or two that appeal to you most depending on the age/proficiency of your students. Certainly these sites are not necessarily for ELLs, but I can't see why you couldn't use the sites for this population.

This is a very clever writing tool - templates for particular genres...each template has 6 parts - the 6 sides of a cube. There is also a planning sheet available. Students can take the planning and turn it into an actual essay. Useful for gr 3-8, but also lower levels of older ELLs.

BIG list of "Interesting Ways to..." to do various ed tech things...with Google Tools, Devices, Audio/Visual, Subject support, Gaming, and Online Tools. Each of these categories has many more links with ideas from teachers. I'm sure there are some great things here, but be selective. There isn't anything TESL specific here, but these are the most popular ed tech things going on right now and many are very suitable for ELLs.

"This I Believe" is site I learned about from one of my grad students at Hamline. She uses it a source for writing, but in this particular case, she was integrating in some prosodics, so versatile. You might want to check it out...not especially created for ELLs, but can work for older learners who are not beginner.

Article about Competency-Based learning...not for ELLs, but worth looking at to see how schools are using this approach. This is high school in New Hampshire

I discovered this site that has tons of visuals to use for teaching ELLs (or foreign language)...some are multi-frame images which would be great for activities and assessment. Take look if you have a chance.

This was written by Larry Ferlazzo and has some interesting points.

Creative Thinking Techniques: A great website for creative thinking that is open-ended and strategies useable for all learners (ELL,+).. Begins with brainstorming, moves onto methods to implement, generating questions, trying activities yourself, actual activities to try,….

The push of Common Core is strong...and Illinois is a state that has adopted the Common Core standards. This will have an impact of ESL instruction, so we all need to stay on top of this.

California's credentialing board plans to expedite new rules governing intern teachers-those who came into the profession on alternative routes-in what will likely require them to take more upfront training on how to teach English-language learners.

This is is great graphic...each branch is a link to more info. Definitely worth sharing

This site looks like a real find! You can see a range of topics, and from here, you have various options. I clicked on the text example, which has a recording of the reading. There is some kind of animation that flashes on each word as it is being read. Definitely worth further investigation.

A very inclusive website seemingly geared toward students middle school and above or adults become better readers. The site could benefit native and non-native language learners. In the "reading" portion, One can choose from colorful icons, graphics and words to start - enticing users to click and find out more. Tutorials provide information and practice on every aspect of life.

This collection, though older, provides a collection of sites to/for thinking, search engines, references for research, games, core subjects: math, science, reading, writing, arts, history, and educational activities for those who cannot travel the world.