We All Smile in the Same Language

Welcome to Susan Piper's ELL page. I currently teach grades 6-9, but there is a little something here for all teachers of ELLs, parents of ELLs, and ELL students.

Here you will find a sample of our ELL plan, complete with sample accommodation ideas for the classroom and for testing situations.

Alabama is part of the WIDA consortium of states for planning and testing of English Language Learners. If you want to discover more about how we use standards in the classroom, or if you want to know more about the ACCESS fluency test for ELLs, visit the WIDA site through this link.

Poetry is a language all its own. I believe that any student who speaks any language can write poetry from the first day he or she enters my classroom. Here are some of the excellent poems my poets write.

For ELLs and other students it is often difficult to respond to a text by producing another written text. Sometimes the best way to demonstrate knowledge of a text is through an alternate project. Here you will find 91 ways to respond to literature--91 ways that are a bit different from your average book report. Check 'em out. You might find something you like.

This year the ninth grade students in my language arts class represent several different countries. These students are dedicated, hard working essayists, illustrators, and actors. It is such a pleasure to spend time with them each day, for every new project, every new writing assignment, holds pleasant and fulfilling surprises. This link will take you to some of their writings, presentations, and illustrations. Have fun!

My seventh grade students at Drake Middle School are super writers! They are also motivated and creative (I am so lucky)! We do a lot of fun writing projects involving poetry and the short story. This link will take you to this month's featured pieces. Enjoy!

High Frequency Sight Words

There are particular words that students generally know by each grade level. These words are called sight words because students should be able to identify them immediately upon seeing them. These sight word cards may be printed and cut for practice in the classroom or at home. You may choose to print, cut and affix them to index cards. Sometimes we play games with the words. Some students and parents find it beneficial to use them in flash card style.

Materials for ELL Kits

Go here to find a list of materials for building classroom or media center ELL kits. If you have a large number of ELLs in your classroom you might want to have these on hand. Perhaps you might have kits with these materials in your school media center so that they might be accessed as new students arrive.

Mrs. Piper's Schedule

I have the privilege of serving two excellent schools: Auburn Junior High School and Drake Middle School. Here you will see a very basic schedule of where you can find me.