Special Needs in the PYP/ International Schools
For further reading please refer to:
- Learning Diversity in the IB program
- The Next Frontier: Inclusion in International Schools
- Sylvia Thompson- Tier system (2011)
Ideas to try at home
Learning Support
Stuck Choosing the Right Book?
Sometimes we have a lot of books and we don’t know which one is the appropriate book to read for your child. Follow this simple tip to gauge if the book is just on the right level. FIVE FINGER TEST
Stuck on a Word?
Every now and then we come across words that we are unfamiliar with when we are reading. Here is a variety of strategies that your child can use to decode unfamiliar words. These strategies can be used in any texts. STUCK ON A WORD
Reading for Meaning
SCORE is a strategy to gain an overall understanding of a text as well as make real life connections from the text. Try using SCORE when reading with your child.
Sometimes we have a lot of books and we don’t know which one is the appropriate book to read for your child. Follow this simple tip to gauge if the book is just on the right level. FIVE FINGER TEST
Stuck on a Word?
Every now and then we come across words that we are unfamiliar with when we are reading. Here is a variety of strategies that your child can use to decode unfamiliar words. These strategies can be used in any texts. STUCK ON A WORD
Reading for Meaning
SCORE is a strategy to gain an overall understanding of a text as well as make real life connections from the text. Try using SCORE when reading with your child.
ESL
First Days
Coming to a new school and speaking a different language can be very intimidating. Here is a link to some of first words and sentences: FLASH CARDS FIRST DAYS
There are also some classroom words that you will come across. Here are some PICTURE CARDS
Alphabet
Every learner of English needs some basic language knowledge. The first step is to learn the alphabet, the letter words and letter sounds. This will help the student to sound out new words in the coming years. Here is a link to an ALPHABET POSTER and FLASH CARDS as well as links to a LETTER SONG and SOUND SONG on YOUTUBE. Once comfortable with singing or saying the letters in order, try mixing them up.
Numbers
Depending on the year level knowing the words for numbers is important to follow the instructions in math classes. Here is a POSTER with the numbers 1-20. There are also songs on YOUTUBE for SMALL NUMBERS and BIG NUMBERS.
Sight Words
Sight Words the most commonly words in English and should be recognized instantly. This helps the reading progress since books are made mostly of these words on the early levels.
Here is a POSTER of the 100 most used words and some FLASHCARDS.
Speaking
Sometimes it is hard to speak in a new language in your daily routine. Try allocating specific times when you you are focusing on speaking English. Use prompts like these WIMMEL PICTURES to start a conversation or play "I spy" to focus on vocabulary.
Reading
Daily reading benefits your child's understanding, vocabulary and confidence. For reading strategies please refer to the LEARNING SUPPORT SECTION
Vocabulary
At ISS the program of inquiry focuses on different topics. Try making a WORD WEB to practice some words at home.
Please be ensured that the ESL team is covering the above areas with students that are on the ESL program according to their needs. These are just some ideas if you would like to do some word work at home as well.
If you have any further questions or would like some more ideas, please feel free to contact us.
Coming to a new school and speaking a different language can be very intimidating. Here is a link to some of first words and sentences: FLASH CARDS FIRST DAYS
There are also some classroom words that you will come across. Here are some PICTURE CARDS
Alphabet
Every learner of English needs some basic language knowledge. The first step is to learn the alphabet, the letter words and letter sounds. This will help the student to sound out new words in the coming years. Here is a link to an ALPHABET POSTER and FLASH CARDS as well as links to a LETTER SONG and SOUND SONG on YOUTUBE. Once comfortable with singing or saying the letters in order, try mixing them up.
Numbers
Depending on the year level knowing the words for numbers is important to follow the instructions in math classes. Here is a POSTER with the numbers 1-20. There are also songs on YOUTUBE for SMALL NUMBERS and BIG NUMBERS.
Sight Words
Sight Words the most commonly words in English and should be recognized instantly. This helps the reading progress since books are made mostly of these words on the early levels.
Here is a POSTER of the 100 most used words and some FLASHCARDS.
Speaking
Sometimes it is hard to speak in a new language in your daily routine. Try allocating specific times when you you are focusing on speaking English. Use prompts like these WIMMEL PICTURES to start a conversation or play "I spy" to focus on vocabulary.
Reading
Daily reading benefits your child's understanding, vocabulary and confidence. For reading strategies please refer to the LEARNING SUPPORT SECTION
Vocabulary
At ISS the program of inquiry focuses on different topics. Try making a WORD WEB to practice some words at home.
Please be ensured that the ESL team is covering the above areas with students that are on the ESL program according to their needs. These are just some ideas if you would like to do some word work at home as well.
If you have any further questions or would like some more ideas, please feel free to contact us.
Extension
Students can be extended at home in a variety of ways to reinforce concepts that are learnt in the classroom. These activities will build confidence and extend their knowledge and understanding in a number of key learning areas.
Reading Comprehension
(1) It is extremely important that students understand what they are reading (comprehension). To foster growth in reading comprehension and check understanding, use the following activities after reading a book:
(2) Questions help students clarify and deepen their understanding of the text they are reading. Children make personal connection with the text by using their schema (background knowledge). There are three main connections we make while reading:
Here is a list of questions that can foster the development of connections:
Writing
(1) Writing prompts are an effective tool for students to use when engaging in creative writing. They can often spark a students imagination and foster the development of creative thinking.
Go to this website for a plethora of creative writing prompts:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/writing-prompts-for-kids-in-elementary-and-middle-school.html#persuasive-writing
Here is an example:
You are fascinated with the existence of aliens, and their visits on earth. You in a way, are confident that they are real; however, your friends and family do not share the same views. One day, while playing with your collection of alien toys, you realize that there is a small round toy which is glowing, and looks like a spaceship. You come closer to that toy, and as soon as you pick it up, you notice an injured alien inside.
Narrate the story and tell us how you took care of the alien, and the events that followed.......
(2) Rewrite you favorite story from the point of view of another character. For example, read the popular story ‘The 3 Little Pigs’ and rewrite the story from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf. Use the following table to plan your story and organize your thinking before you write your final copy.
Mathematics
It is important for students to recall simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems with accuracy and speed. To help students to develop number skills here is a list of websites that can assist students:
http://www.coolmath.com
Worksheets, games, word problems and more. Sections: Too Cool to Miss; Fractals; Math, etc.; Math Lesson, etc.; Coolmath Link Center; Fractions; Calculators.
http://www.aaamath.com/
A huge site for basic math skills. Set up by grade level or math topic. Challenges and games.
www.MathPlayground.com
A large collection of interactive word problems, math games and puzzles for primary school students.
http://www.aplusmath.com/
A fun site where students can learn math interactively. Sections: Game Room, Flash Cards, Homework Helper and Worksheets.
www.thatquiz.org
Test yourself with a variety of quizzes.
www.hoodamath.com/games
Lots of great geometry, arithmetic, and logic games.
Reading Comprehension
(1) It is extremely important that students understand what they are reading (comprehension). To foster growth in reading comprehension and check understanding, use the following activities after reading a book:
- Turn the story into a play and act it out.
- Summarize the story and think of an alternate ending.
- Turn your favorite story into a graphic novel. Each picture should illustrate a main event in the story and be sequenced accordingly.
(2) Questions help students clarify and deepen their understanding of the text they are reading. Children make personal connection with the text by using their schema (background knowledge). There are three main connections we make while reading:
- Text-to-Self (T-S) refers to connections made between the text and the readers personal experience.
- Text-to-Text (T-T) refers to connections made between a text being read to a text that was previously read.
- Text-to-World (T-W) refers to connections made between a text being read and something that occurs in the world.
Here is a list of questions that can foster the development of connections:
- Can you think of a time that this has happened to you?
- Have you ever felt the way the character is feeling?
- Have you read a story with the same ideas? How was it similar/different?
- Is the story similar to something that occurs in the world?
Writing
(1) Writing prompts are an effective tool for students to use when engaging in creative writing. They can often spark a students imagination and foster the development of creative thinking.
Go to this website for a plethora of creative writing prompts:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/writing-prompts-for-kids-in-elementary-and-middle-school.html#persuasive-writing
Here is an example:
You are fascinated with the existence of aliens, and their visits on earth. You in a way, are confident that they are real; however, your friends and family do not share the same views. One day, while playing with your collection of alien toys, you realize that there is a small round toy which is glowing, and looks like a spaceship. You come closer to that toy, and as soon as you pick it up, you notice an injured alien inside.
Narrate the story and tell us how you took care of the alien, and the events that followed.......
(2) Rewrite you favorite story from the point of view of another character. For example, read the popular story ‘The 3 Little Pigs’ and rewrite the story from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf. Use the following table to plan your story and organize your thinking before you write your final copy.
Mathematics
It is important for students to recall simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems with accuracy and speed. To help students to develop number skills here is a list of websites that can assist students:
http://www.coolmath.com
Worksheets, games, word problems and more. Sections: Too Cool to Miss; Fractals; Math, etc.; Math Lesson, etc.; Coolmath Link Center; Fractions; Calculators.
http://www.aaamath.com/
A huge site for basic math skills. Set up by grade level or math topic. Challenges and games.
www.MathPlayground.com
A large collection of interactive word problems, math games and puzzles for primary school students.
http://www.aplusmath.com/
A fun site where students can learn math interactively. Sections: Game Room, Flash Cards, Homework Helper and Worksheets.
www.thatquiz.org
Test yourself with a variety of quizzes.
www.hoodamath.com/games
Lots of great geometry, arithmetic, and logic games.