As a teacher, one of the biggest challenges you may face is finding ways to support English Language Learners in your classroom. While it can be difficult to meet the diverse needs of these students, one powerful resource that you may want to consider is Discovery Education.
Discovery Education is an online platform that provides a wealth of resources and tools to support students’ learning. This platform can be particularly helpful for our EL population, as it offers a range of features that can help build background knowledge, support vocabulary development, and strategies to help students meet content objectives.
Building Background Knowledge
One of the biggest challenges that ELLs may face is a lack of background knowledge about the content being taught. Without this context, it can be difficult for these students to understand the material and engage with the lesson.
Discovery Education can be a valuable tool for building background knowledge. With its extensive library of educational videos, interactive activities, and virtual field trips, the platform offers a range of engaging and informative resources that can help students learn about new topics and build their understanding of key concepts.
For example, you might use a video from Discovery Education to introduce a new topic or concept to your students. By watching the video, students can get an overview of the content, learn key vocabulary terms, and begin to develop a framework for understanding the material. This can be particularly helpful for ELs, as they may benefit from visual and auditory support in building their background knowledge.
Vocabulary Support
Another key challenge for ELLs is developing their vocabulary. These students may struggle to understand and use new words, which can make it difficult for them to engage with the content being taught.
Discovery Education offers a range of tools and resources to support vocabulary development. For example, the platform includes interactive glossaries that provide definitions and explanations of key terms. Students can use these glossaries to review vocabulary, practice using new words, and deepen their understanding of content.
Discovery Education offers a range of interactive activities that can help students practice and reinforce their vocabulary skills. For example, you might use a vocabulary matching game to help students learn and remember new words. By engaging with these interactive tools, ELLs can build their vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
Consider exploring the Vocabulary Development channel for SOS strategies on how to teach vocabulary development to your students.
Meeting Content Objectives
Discovery Education can also be a valuable tool for helping ELs meet content objectives. The platform offers a range of resources and activities that align with state and national standards, making it easier to incorporate these resources into your lessons and ensure that students are meeting key learning objectives. Discovery Education is also chalked full of research-based strategies for integrating Discovery Education digital curriculum resources in meaningful, effective, and practical ways. Find these strategies on their SOS Instructional Strategies Channel.
For example, you might use a virtual field trip to support a social studies unit on ancient civilizations. By exploring a virtual ancient city, students can learn about the culture, geography, and history of the time period. In this way, Discovery Education can help ELs engage with the content, build their understanding of key concepts, and meet important content objectives.
All Means All
Supporting English Language Learners in the classroom can be challenging, but Discovery Education offers a range of tools and resources to help you meet this challenge. By using these resources in your lessons, you can help ensure that all of your students are engaged, motivated, and successful learners.
Looking for more? Find professional learning, instructional support, and content connections by exploring the English Language Learner Center channel on Discovery Education.
