Why is it a mistake to group all English as second learners together?
It is a mistake to group all ELL students together, because they do not all have similar backgrounds. In the article "Getting to Know Your Students" the teacher placed two girls together because of the commonality of their language and the need to learn English. However, she did not take into consideration that they each had different backgrounds, academic levels, and experiences. For example, Bianca was able to speak both English and Spanish while Rosa was less proficient in speaking English. The two girls were also most likely from different parts of Mexico. Therefore, making their beliefs and experiences uniquely different. In the end grouping of the two girls did not work as planned.
What is a virtual backpack and how does it relate to Funds of Knowledge?
A virtual backpack is a students knowledge and experiences that they carry with them. It is up to the teacher to reach into a students virtual backpack and pull out those resources into the classroom. A student’s Funds of Knowledge are culturally developed ideas that students bring to the classroom, such as their backgrounds, families, beliefs, values and experiences Funds of knowledge relates to a students virtual backpack, because they are all factors that teachers should draw upon in the classroom.
Related Resource:
I found an article from CAL (Center for Applied Linguistics) which really connected to the "Getting to Know Your Students" article. The article discusses how classroom practices can be developed, transformed, and enriched by drawing upon the existing funds of knowledge in minority students' households. Click here to read the article
I like the part in the article about Teachers as Learners! One we accept the fact that we are always learners we become better teachers!
ReplyDelete