I spent about a month working with Claude Code to create a high-low book for #AdultEnglishLearners. It is about the fictional Rivera García family and should work with high school #EnglishLearners also because the family in the story includes 3 children, including one in high school.

The book is written at about a 3rd or 4th grade level.

I would very much appreciate any feedback.

#ESL #k12education #k12 #education #ESOL #teaching #reading #writing

https://www.chrisspackman.com/writings/high-low-series/01-la-cocina.html

La Cocina (Book #1)

Chris Spackman content for adult English Learners

I created a #HighLow (high interest, low reading level) book for adult #EnglishLearners. I plotted, directed, edited, and did some of the writing. #LLMs helped me plan, did some checking, and, yes, did a lot of the "writing".

I'm an #ESOL / #ESL #teacher. I want to provide #EducationalMaterials for my students. I want to get affordable #books into my students' hands.

Includes #AI content, so #PublicDomain / CC0.

(Book coming soon; have to get it internet ready.)

#education #reading

BUT, keep in mind that simplifying a text for English Learners is NOT a best practice. It is much better to enhance or otherwise mark up the original reading to make it accessible to #EnglishLearners.

That said, simplifying has its uses --- like for quickly developing background knowledge or as an introduction before reading the original version.

#education #TESOL #k12 #ESL #ESOL

90% done with a #AdultESOL (#ESL) #HiLo (high interest, low reading level) book for intermediate adult #EnglishLearners in the U.S.A.

The story follows the Rivera Garcia family as they start a #FoodTruck business as the first step toward bigger goals. Parents Miguel and Ana deal with fixing the truck and getting permits, insurance, etc. on top of work and the children's school. Mateo is the youngest, in third grade. Sofia is in the middle. Camila is a sophomore.

#reading #education #writing

Just got back from #OhioTESOLConference. Presented on re-leveling and enhancing readings for #EnglishLearners. Went well.

It was great to see and talk to so many colleagues.

The presentations I saw were great, and there were some others that i wanted to see but didn't have time, unfortunately.

Created a #vocabulary reference sheet for Algebra 2 students today. Mostly juniors (in USA #k12 #education parlance) in the classes. I made the sheet for my #EnglishLearners but happily gave it to other students who asked for it.

I use #TexLatex a lot, but usually not for so much math.

#ESL #ESOL #Tesol

Was supposed to join a #webinar today about #FamilyEngagement, #technology, and #ESOL / #ESL / #EnglishLearners in USA #K12 #education.

The webinar site required a specific plug-in / extension that I have not heard of AND Google Chrome or MS Edge.

The did not have a "join in the browser" fallback option.

Hopefully I'll be able to watch the video later in #Mozilla #Firefox. Not holding my breath.

#USA #K12 #education #LLM question:

#Teachers can now create differentiated materials for #EnglishLearners or students with IEPs quickly and easily. This was not true in the past, so although #differentiation has been a best practice for many years, I suspect most teachers didn't have time to do it. Now though, many can do it.

So, what about the #pedagogy? How do teachers use these materials with the #students? Prolly, teachers have more experience with them in last 2 years than in prev. 20.

At PD for working with #ESOL / #ESL / #EL / #MLL students in USA #k12 #education. Looking forward to it.

Related, but read an opinion piece with advice for working with #EnglishLearners. Problem is, it was mostly high-level stuff like "be aware of cultural differences" or "view home language and culture as assets not deficits".

Yes, all good stuff, BUT in my experience the big issue is teachers not knowing how to, or having time to, implement #SIOP practices with their students.

Just about time for the final #AdultESOL class of the summer term. Great students, fun classes. Next weekend off, and then start the cycle again with a new group of 20 adult #immigrants #EnglishLearners

Also, go back to #k12 #ESOL (#ESL) job in early August. Looking forward to another year of working with new and returning English Learners (and their families) there, too.

The #CyberSecurity class (to teach college level to #HighSchool students) ends in about 2 weeks. Next starts in September.