Danielle Schreck

Educating English Language Learners

11/11/2013
Six Key Strategies for ELL Students
Lesson Plan : Lesson on Creating a Sound Map
Student : Maria from Costa Rica
Grade Level : 8
Strategy #1 - Vocabulary & Language Development
-Something that I would do to help Maria and all the other students be able to connect the name
of the instrument to the instrument itself, I would post pictures of the instruments around the
board with the name underneath it. That way they have something to refer to if they are unclear
when we are talking about the instruments.
Strategy #2 - Guided Interaction
-A good way to have guided interaction would be to first split the classroom into pairs. I would
assign each pair a different musical instrument. Each pair will then research the instrument and
give the class a short presentation on the history of it, how it is played and how it sounds. I
would most likely do this the class prior to this lesson so it reinforces the information required
for this lesson.
Strategy #3 - Metacognition & Authentic Assessment
-For this lesson I would most likely assign reading on the different instruments and what a sound
map actually is. Prior to this reading, I would give the class and anticipatory guide because most
of the music books I have encountered contain more information then needed. I want to make
sure that they know the important parts in the reading to focus on. I would also have them each
fill out a K-W-L chart so I can clear up anything that may be confusing.
Strategy #4 - Explicit Instruction
-Before this assignment takes place, I would make sure to teach the names of different beats and
instruments and how they sound. The ELL student might not be the only student that cant
distinguish between the different sounds of the beats and instruments.
Strategy #5 - Meaning - Based Context & Universal Themes
-An assignment I would give the students would be to pick a song that they like and create a
sound map for it. The students will be more likely to do the assignment if it involves something
they are familiar with. This could be helpful for an ELL student because if they already know the
song, they can focus on other aspects of the assignment.
Strategy # 6 - Modeling, Graphic Organizers, & Visuals

-I would give each student a chart with the different instruments that would contain their name, a
picture, and characteristics of how each one sounds. The chart would be blank when they recieve
it. If they complete it themselves the information will be more likely to stick. This is a great
study tool and it could also be used in class to refer to if they need help.