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Back to School Essentials for ELL/ESL/MLE Teachers

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Essential supplies teachers need to start the school year off well! Includes materials for both teachers & students. (Links are affiliate links.)
 
Susan Schwartz profile picture
These wipe-off charts are perfect for writing language & content objectives for your classes with a dry erase marker. (affiliate link)
Notebook Paper Wipe-Off Chart, 22" x 28"
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
These flip chart pads are great for writing vocabulary lists and creating mind maps as well as having students use them for various tasks.  (affiliate link)
Easel Pad, 3-hole, white, 50 SH/PD, 2/Carton
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
These dry erase markers work well if you teach different grade levels or subjects and you want to keep whatever you write on your whiteboard easily distinguishable. They're also great for differentiating when teaching Language Arts features or aspect...
EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel, 8 Ct
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Cuisinaire rods are very useful with lower proficiency level ELLs when teaching English Language Development – I’ve used them for teaching grammar, for descriptive speaking and writing tasks, and for listening practice by telling stories. You can als...
Cuisenaire Rods Individual Set
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Every teacher of Multilingual Learners of English needs this book! It's comprehensive, thorough, and clearly explains academic concepts in core subject areas. (affiliate link)
Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary w/ CD-ROM
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
This dictionary is great because it's aimed at ESL students at the lower end of language proficiency. Each entry gives a definition is simple English, tells how to pronounce the word, and offers an example sentence. (affiliate link)
Longman Basic Dictionary of American English Paper
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
If you have Spanish-speaking students in your class, this dictionary is very helpful for them and if you don't speak Spanish, you'll find it indispensable in helping you, too. (affiliate link)
Webster's New World Concise Spanish Dictionary
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
This book gives info about 22 different language groups and the types of errors speakers of those languages typically make when learning English. It’s a great resource to consult when you’re wondering why a student makes a particular mistake. (affili...
Learner English: A Teacher's Guide (Cambridge)
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
This reference book discusses 14 languages and includes info about the sound system of English; it also offers classroom activities for teaching pronunciation to English Learners. (affiliate link)
Teaching American English Pronunciation
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
If you're tired of your students getting up all the time sharpen their pencils, use these instead! (affiliate link)
Pentel Icy Razzle-Dazzle Mechanical Pencils
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
These binder clips fit over the tops of cabinet doors – use them to hold posters and flip charts and create a print-rich classroom! (affiliate link)
Large Binder Clips
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Not all students can afford lots of supplies so these are great to have on hand for school projects. Also, MLEs at beginning & low-intermediate levels of language proficiency can use them to draw pictures to demonstrate their understanding on con...
Crayola Bulk Colored Pencils for Kids (24pk)
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Sometimes, crayons work better than colored pencils or students prefer crayons when making posters or doing other classwork. Putting the crayons in a tub makes it easy for students to share them when working. (affiliate link)
64-Pack Crayons with Sharpener
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
This is another option for students who are making posters or drawing pictures in class. (affiliate link)
Crayola Washable Broad Line Markers, 12ct
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
If you don't have already have a pencil sharpener in your classroom, this one accommodates different pencil sizes. Although it is larger than other electric pencil sharpeners, it's very easy to use and works great. (affiliate link)
Electric Pencil Sharpener
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Use these notebooks taking notes in class, doing writing tasks, novel studies, or homework assignments. Let students pick their preferred color or give the same color notebook to everyone in the same grade or same subject class. (affiliate link)
1-Subject Notebooks, 8" x 10.5", Wide Ruled, 70 Sheets, Assorted Colors, 6/Pack
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Use these notebooks for vocabulary work. Students turn in the notebooks instead of ripping pages out, so all their work is kept in one place. (affiliate link)
Composition Notebook Pack
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
File folders are an essential item for teachers who teach students in multiple grades or teach multiple subjects. Give the same color to all students in the same grade or same content class and have students use them for class & homework assignme...
2-Pocket Folders, Assorted Colors, 10/Pack
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
Use them to create word-definition cards for students to play a vocabulary game or charades; students can use them to take notes and organize info as well as make flash cards for vocabulary or study guides. (affiliate link)
3" x 5" Index Cards, Lined, Assorted Colors, 300/Pack
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
A world map is essential when teaching students from all over the world! This one includes political & physical features. (affiliate link)
World Map
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Susan Schwartz profile picture
A map of the US is essential when teaching students who come from all over the world to America! (affiliate link)
USA Map
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