Differentiated Instruction for Mixed Ability ESL Students

By Shacie Rankin

Lesson A

Read Big Bushy Mustache by Gary Soto

Discuss themes with both students

Students will then draw of illustrate a story in either English or Spanish about one of the following prompts:

1. Tell of a time someone did something nice for you and how you felt about it.
2. Tell about a time you did something that you shouldn’t have and how you resolved the situation.
3. Tell about someone you wish you were like and what traits you like about them.

After the story is complete, if he chose to illustrate or write in Spanish, student will dictate in English the story for the teacher to record, modeling good writing strategies. If either chooses to write in English, he will read it to the teacher. Any necessary strategies will be modeled at that time.

Lesson B

Read How the Sun Was Born/Como El Sol Nacio written and illustrated both in English and Spanish by the third grade students at Drexel Elementary School.

Explain that the book is a group effort, and that many children cooperated with each other to write and illustrate it.

Work together to develop a story, and write it in both English and Spanish. Have the students take on specialty roles and show them that their Spanish talent can benefit the group. Proceed with each step to publishing explaining each change and modeling correct writing techniques and correct grammar. After writing, editing, and revising, prepare the finished work using the computer and scanner, and publish for each child and tutor to keep.