#ELLchat_Snaps

When I enter any particular classroom at any particular school, my first instinct is to look around and find something I identify with. The Latino background in me longs to see something that reflects or resembles my culture. When I do find something, it makes me happy and it's even an opportunity to initiate conversations about the artifact's background. 
So this got me thinking about my students. I teach English language learners (ELLs). My students come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Many of them are cross-cultural students (read more about it here).  
The point is, because of who my students are, it is my responsibility to establish and maintain an environment where all my students feel comfortable and safe. So as I rearrange my classroom and decorate my walls, I have to be intentional with my decor.

​You see, when students step into your classroom, they look around and they immediately search for something they can recognize. They look around for something to connect, whether is cultural, emotional, or linguistic; they long to identify with something...ANYTHING that assures them that their backgrounds are accepted....I can guarantee you that a desk globe and/or a world map on a wall doesn't quite do the trick.

"Focusing on cultural differences won't help you build trust."
​​Ted Fujimoto

After reading, "To Connect Across Cultures, Find Out What You Have in Common", I realized that I need to do more...WE need to do more in our classrooms to build trust and connections with our ELLs. We need to be intentional about what's in our classroom and support our students with diverse cultures find similarities and not differences among cross-cultures. 

We need to come together and share ideas among educators on ways to bring awareness and gain multicultural backgrounds as well as activities that will help our students be sensitive to a diverse population.

My objective this year ​is for my students to become internationally minded and be global citizens.

I am going to start posting pictures of everything I have in my classroom that supports and promotes students' diversity using the hashtag #ELLchat_Snaps and I encourage you to do the same.

• Post pictures of bookshelves showing your divers books, bulletin boards, multicultural activities, etc. anything that you have in your classroom that you know makes your students feel comfortable and accepted. I am sure your posts will be great ideas for others to adopt (or steal).
• Use the hashtag #ELLchat_Snaps when posting your images
• Check the hashtag and RT ideas to support the cause
• Take ideas to incorporate in your classroom and maintain an environment where your ELLs feel accepted!

Here are some examples I've found very helpful as I began gathering ideas for my own classroom.

#ELLchat_Snaps

I can't wait to see the wonderful things you are doing in your classrooms to make your ELL feel important, comfortable, and accepted! 

Thank you for reading!