Scaffolding Kits to Support Intermediate Newcomer Students

Sep 2

3 min read

Jacqueline Leonard, Chapel Hill Elementary, Kansas City

It is essential that newcomers are provided with adequate support and resources to allow them the opportunity to experience the same level of academic success as their peers. This project involved providing newcomer scaffolding kits to any 3rd-5th grade teachers with newcomer students. Students and teachers could use the scaffolding kit to provide academic support and allow newcomer students the chance to have additional support with independent learning experiences specifically in the areas of reading and math. Teachers were expected to allow students to use the resources in the scaffolding kit during independent work time when they are not receiving pull-out or push-in ELL support.

This project developed newcomer scaffolding kits for teachers to use with their newcomer students. The kits included resources such as flashcards, dictionaries, books, games, and graphic organizers to support newcomer development of language and content skills. These kits were used throughout the year by teachers and their newcomer students to support their learning.

Step-by-Step Plan

February

Distribute newcomer scaffolding kits to 3rd-5th grade educators who have newcomers
Provide families of newcomers with translated information about the newcomer scaffolding kits
Present to 3rd-5th grade teachers about the set-up and use of newcomer scaffolding kits in the classroom
Educators and newcomers can begin implementing newcomer scaffolding kits as needed

March

Check in with teachers and students on the use and effectiveness of newcomer scaffolding kits
Make adjustments to the kits as needed

Budget

Really Good Stuff® Standards-Based Comprehension Graphic Organizers Book (10 sets)
GO phonics zero 3 level box set (10 sets)
Oxford picture dictionary (10 books)
Oxford picture dictionary content area for kids, workbooks & reproducible (10 sets)
Phonics flashcards (10 sets)
Mesh Zipper Pouches
Decodable Books
Bilingual Books
Reading A to Z books/curriculum specific printed resources
AAC Nonverbal communication device (10)

Sustainability

The materials that were added to the newcomer scaffolding kits and copies of any materials added were stored in the ELL classroom. In addition, the scaffolding kits will be returned to the ELL classroom at the end of each school year to prepare to be redistributed in the new school year. These kits will also stay with the school and copies will be replenished, as needed.

Reflections

Overall, creating these newcomer scaffolding kits was a great experience! It has been amazing to hear about how they are being used in classrooms and the EL space as well. I know students have enjoyed using the books and the phonics game most of all. They also appreciated having texts they could access. It can be so challenging for educators to prepare to meet the needs of all their students, but when you intentionally plan and prepare the appropriate resources, it can impact student self-agency, linguistic proficiency, and academic success in the classroom. Having the kits ready to use for teachers and students with so many helpful resources has been very beneficial. I have also learned that helping teachers be more prepared and knowledgeable positively affects student success. Including resources that build on the skills EL students have and encourage them to grow in specific and meaningful ways can have a big influence. Overall, this project helped me to learn more about how to support EL students and teachers. I am looking forward to seeing how teachers and students continue to use these scaffolding kits to help support EL students in the future.