Ellipsis Education curriculum leverages students’ natural curiosity and creative self-expression to help students learn computer science skills and knowledge. In an effort to support teachers as they strive to make connections with all of their learners, Ellipsis Education provides English Language Learner (ELL) supplemental teaching guides available to our school and teacher partners. We are working to ensure that every course in our computer science curriculum has ELL teacher guides. Currently, each of the following courses have ELL curriculum resources for every coding lesson:
The resources for English Language Learners provide leveled accommodations, goals, and suggestions for helping ELL students access the coding curriculum and accomplish learning and language goals alongside their peers. Using the resources will help guide your ELL students in their coding experience as they move through the K-12 Pathway.
Using the WIDA Performance Definitions, the WIDA Model Performance Indicator framework, and SIOP research-based best practices, Ellipsis Education has created these documents to help educators expand students’ language skills in the domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing while maintaining full access to the innovative and challenging computer science curriculum offered to all students. In each supplemental document, educators will find lesson-specific English learning and language goals, suggestions for accommodating activities to meet the needs of language learners, and advice on how to engage your language learners in incorporating academic language in their classroom interactions. If you are interested in learning more about Ellipsis Education and the resources included, schedule a 30 minute call with one of our curriculum experts.
ELL Frequently Asked Questions
What does ELL stand for?
ELL stands for English language learners. It’s used to describe students that are in need of or receiving supplemental instruction on the English language. Many ELLs receive these services in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
What is the goal of the ELL instructional materials and guides?
The ELL supplemental documents are built for each coding lesson to help teachers understand how to lighten the linguistic load of the course while maintaining students’ access to the rigorous content presented to all students.
What framework was used to build these ELL guides?
Ellipsis Education ELL supplemental teaching guides are based on the WIDA MPI framework. For help interpreting the WIDA levels, or if you would like more information on WIDA levels, download the WIDA Performance Definitions. Ellipsis Education ELL classroom resources provide accommodations, language goals, and teaching suggestions for students identified at proficiency levels 1 – 4 in the WIDA Performance Definitions. Students identified at proficiency levels 5 and 6 are generally considered to be reaching language proficiency and approaching fluency on par with their native language peers.
ELL Resources for Teachers for Supporting English Language Learning in the Classroom
Learn more about supporting multilingual learners in our professional development, Advancing ELLs in Computer Science: Takeaways from WIDA: Doing and Talking STEM. The Ellipsis Education team will walk you through the highlights of the latest WIDA guidance where you can learn about the “Teacher Moves” and “Student Moves” that will allow your ELL students access to the rigorous content and crucial skill practice they need. Access the webinar on demand below!