How to Develop a Lesson Plan that Includes ELLs

http://www.colorincolorado.org/educators/content/lessonplan

This website has a lot of good information and suggestions that teachers can use to accommodate and help make the life of their English language learners a bit easier. This particular website helps teachers create a lesson plan that includes English language learners.
The website states that English language learners often have problems understanding literature and mastering science, math, and social studies concepts because they cannot comprehend the textbooks for these subjects. Depending on their different stages of English proficiency and literacy, ELLs will benefit from explicit instruction of comprehension strategies, along with other skills that a well-designed lesson can address.

The following are suggestions that this website gives for Comprehensive lessons:

• building background knowledge
• explicit instruction and modeling
• guided practice
• peer practice
• assessment of content learned

The article states that Teacher-student interactions, as well as peer interactions, are critical for learning. Because of the diversity in experiences and backgrounds that ELLs bring to the classroom, it is essential to prepare lessons that can address a wide range of needs. This broad sweep will also benefit all other students in your class.

Components of a comprehensive lesson

Teacher preparation
Survey the text to:

• determine your standard or objective
• eliminate unnecessary information that does not meet your objective
• elect the concepts to teach
• choose specific vocabulary to pre-teach
• develop assessments to test that content

Building background knowledge

• Create interest in the subject by using pictures, real objects, maps, or personal experiences. Say the names of objects as often as you can so ELLs can remember them. Relate material to students' lives when possible.
• Build text-specific knowledge by providing students with information from the text beforehand, particularly if the text is conceptually difficult or has an abundance of information that is important.
• Establish the purpose for reading (e.g., "Now we are going to read to find out about a country called France. What are some things we might learn about France as we read?")
• Select a specific comprehension strategy for students to use. For example, decide to focus on the main idea, cause and effect, or comparing and contrasting.

I have provided a link to this website. You can further read about how to pre-teach vocabulary and many more great ideas. I hope this information is helpful!