INCLUSIVE PRACTICES

When the Lines Blur: Supporting English language learners who have complex learning profiles by Martha Mackenzie

• Understanding refugees and students part of the program in order to help them learn.

• 4 stages of adjustment:

  • Honeymoon stage- when people first arrive:

    • Enthusiasm and curiosity

    • Excitement and hope for new life

    • Fatigue and anxiety

  • 2. The Hostility stage- 4- 6 months reality sets in and culture shock become evident

    • Feelings of strangeness ( food, places, faces, appearance of things

    • Limited ability to speak/ communicate to others + slow second language retention

    • Difficulty sitting still and other inexplicable or erratic behaviours

  • 3. The Humour stage / or coming to terms- after about 6 months

    • Proficiency in conversational English

    •  Peer influence at its greatest

    • Behavioural problems / parent-teen conflicts at its worst

  • 4. The Home Stage ( Integration)- realize that they are going here to stay

    •  Proficiency in both L1 and home language

    • View themselves as part multicultural society

    • Participation in school and community activities

• Its important to embrace and represent cultural diversity as well as be warm and welcoming.

• What can we do? provide reassurance and be aware of possible stressors.

The Right to Read Inquiry – what is it and what does it mean for teachers? by Renu Mandhane

• Show children that reading is pleasurable.

• Science of Reading = study on how to intervene to improve student outcomes of literacy by prevention/intervention of reading difficulties.