Council Chronicle, Vol. 27, No. 1, September 2017

PDF Edition

Table of Contents

• Welcoming Students as Full Vessels

  Trisha Collopy

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: “The big understanding that teachers are developing is that when [English language learners] walk into the classroom, they’re a full vessel. Even if they’re not using English productively,they’re not producing English orally,they are still full of knowledge, they have literacy—they have oral literacy for sure and many have some written literacy.”
  —Marsha Riddle Buly, Western Washington University 

• Building Confianza—Trust—Outside the Classroom

  Trisha Collopy

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: In Steven Alvarez's new book for NCTE, he captures insights about teaching English language learners that offer a counter to the deficit-model narrative. 

• My Food Lit Class "Smells Like Corn" [FREE ACCESS]

  Brent Peters

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: A story and a batch of cornbread create classroom community for Brent Peters and his students at Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

• Setting the Stage for Learning

  Trisha Collopy

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Bellingham, two hours north of Seattle, has seen its ELL student population mushroom in recent years. Six years ago, Andrea Quigley spent most of her time working with 50 students at one school. Now she works with students at two schools and trains classroom teachers across the district to work with ELL students.

• We Are All ELL Teachers

  Trisha Collopy

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Elisa Waingort, who currently teaches at an international school in Quito, Ecuador, says coordinating between ELL support and classroom instructor is a challenge. 

• ESL, ELL, Generation 1.5—Why Are These Terms Important?

  Cathy Fleischer

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Cathy Fleischer, Series Editor for NCTE's Principles in Practice Imprint, introduces a useful tool -- a glossary of terms commonly used to describe those students who speak and write in languages other than English. 

• Pull-Out vs. Push-In

  Trisha Collopy

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: In recent years, some schools have begun moving away from a “pull-out” model,where ELL students spend much of their day in sheltered classes, and toward a“push-in” model, where they are mainstreamed as much as possible. Marsha Riddle Buly and Andrea Quigley both say that’s a big shift for many districts. 

• Flipping Accountability on Its Head

  Lorna Collier

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Keeping Students at the Center of ELL Instruction

• Using Enrique’s Journey in the Classroom

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: “Like Enrique, many of our ELLs make courageous journeys to our classrooms,whether they are crossing neighborhood boundaries or country borders. We must show our own courage by refusing to push these students to the  margins. Instead, we must attend to the linguistic needs of our ELLs while developing the critical literacy skills they need to navigate  cultural barriers and tear down societal walls.”
  —Luciana C. de Oliveira and Melanie Shoffner, “Courageous Literacy: Linguistically Responsive Teaching with English Language Learners” (Voices from the Middle, March 2017)

• Jacqueline Woodson: Learning from Every Book

  C.C. Chapman

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Jacqueline Woodson, bestselling author of more than two  dozen award-winning books for adults, young adults, and children, will be a keynote speaker at NCTE’s Annual Convention in St. Louis, Nov. 16–19, 2017. Woodson spoke recently with C.C. Chapman for NCTE’s Why I Write podcast (whyiwrite.us).

• Afterthoughts from the CCCC Associate Chair [FREE ACCESS]

  Carolyn Calhoon-Dillahunt

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: CCCC Associate Chair Carolyn Calhoon-Dillahunt reflects on the keynote address presented by Jose Antonio Vargas at the 2017 CCCC Convention. 

• Four Keys to Success for What Can Seem like an Unmanageable Job

  Bruce Penniman

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: NCTE member Bruce Penniman wrote Building the English Classroom with the goal of sharing strategies he had found successful for managing "what often seems like an unmanageable job." This full-page infographic highlights four key words that he says have guided him throughout his career. 

• Are You Maximizing Your Classroom as a Space That Supports Literacy Learners?

  Hannah Hunt, Emily Collins, Andrea Smith

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Teachers from Chapman Elementary School in the Dublin City School District, Ohio, share how they use their classroom space to support literacy learners.  Share your own ideas (and high-quality photos) by sending to chronicle@ncte.org! 

• Writing Can Transform Humanity [FREE ACCESS]

  Jessica Gordon

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Jessica Gordon reflects on Jonathan Alexander's keynote from the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Conference on College Composition and Communication

• I’d Like to Learn More about Supporting English Language Learners

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Check out these resource suggestions from NCTE for supporting English language learners! 

• Beautiful Moments: I See Myself in Their Eyes

  Yolanda Whitted

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: Read Yolanda Whitted’s blog post “Beautiful Moments” on the NCTE Village: bit.ly/NCTEVillage-Whitted

• Leah Zuidema Elected NCTE Vice President

  • Show Abstract
  • Hide Abstract

  Abstract: NCTE has inspired, equipped, and energized me across every role and context, and I am eager to give back to my professional home and family. I love NCTE for who we are, and for who we have the potential to be. For 20 years, I have listened, learning where we have come from, what we value, what we aspire to.
  —Leah Zuidema

* Journal articles are provided in PDF format and can be opened using the free Adobe® Reader® program or a comparable viewer. Click here to download and install the most recent version of Adobe Reader.