Back to School Essentials for ELL/ESL/MLE Teachers
Essential supplies teachers need to start the school year off well! Includes materials for both teachers & students. (Links are affiliate links.)
These wipe-off charts are perfect for writing language & content objectives for your classes with a dry erase marker. (affiliate link)
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)
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...
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...
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)
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)
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)
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...
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)
If you're tired of your students getting up all the time sharpen their pencils, use these instead! (affiliate link)
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)
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...
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)
This is another option for students who are making posters or drawing pictures in class. (affiliate link)
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)
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)
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)
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...
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)
A world map is essential when teaching students from all over the world! This one includes political & physical features. (affiliate link)
A map of the US is essential when teaching students who come from all over the world to America! (affiliate link)