Constructivist Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners » (1st Edition)

Trina Lynn Vallone-Bastida holds a MA in reading from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois and is a certified Reading Specialist. She has spent several years researching multicultural education and language acquisition. Ms. Vallone has presented at several conferences where she has examined such topics as writer's workshop, content area reading, working with struggling readers and best practice for English Language Learners. Ms. Vallone taught primary aged children before becoming an Assistant Professor at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Il, where she teaches Methods of Teaching Reading; Cross Cultural Studies and Reading in the Content Area. Currently, Trina is working on her Doctorate in curriculum and instruction at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois.

This book provides guidelines for using constructivist teaching methods with English language learners and includes classroom examples, grade-level connections, and strategies that promote educational equity.

Preface     vii
About the Authors     xv
About the Contributor     xvi
Perspectives in Second Language Acquisition and Learning     1
Language Acquisition     2
Language and Cognitive Development     5
Language and Academic Content     7
Language and Culture     9
Program Models for Second Language Learners     15
Additive Versus Subtractive Program Models     16
Mainstream With Modifications     17
English as a Second Language (ESL)     17
Transitional Program of Bilingual Instruction (TPI)     20
Maintenance     20
Submersion     20
Submersion Versus Immersion     21
Immersion     21
Structured English Immersion (SEI)     24
Integrated     24
Enrichment     25
Newcomer Programs     25
Bilingual Whole Language and Beyond     26
Perspectives in Constructivism     27
Overview of Constructivist Perspectives     31
Cognitive Constructivist Perspective     31
Social Constructivist Perspective     33
Guiding Principles for Constructivist Classrooms     36
Concluding Thoughts     38
Constructivist Practice for English Language Learners     39
Families and Communities     41
Instructional Practice in Language Arts     42
Instructional Practice in the Content Areas     53
Assessment     58
Summary of Suggested Practice for Constructivist Second Language Classrooms     61
Perspectives in Critical Pedagogy     65
Critical Pedagogy: A Different Perspective     66
Critical Pedagogy: Guiding Principles     73
Identity Formation in Critical Classrooms     79
Constructivist Classroom Connections: The Great Second-Grade Bug Invasion     81
Guidelines for Practice     102
Constructivist Classroom Connections: Intermediate Newcomers Meet the Universal Chicken   Barbara Nykiel-Herbert     107
Guidelines for Practice     132
Critical Classroom Connections: Eighth Graders Face a Fence on the Border     135
Concluding Thoughts     165
Toward Critical Constructivist Practice With Second Language Learners     167
Appendix     173
Glossary     177
References     181
Index     187