Google+Read+&+Write

Having large populations of ESL learners composing Newcomers to Level 2 and multiple different primary languages is a constant difficulty for Science Specialists.

This year (20127-2018) the Authentic Science Lesson Plan Organizers (ASPLOs) are being provided online in addition hardcopy ASPLO copies to meet the diverse language needs of ESL students that change weekly due to changing populations of ESL classrooms. These online ASPLOs allow me to engage Google Read & Write (through my personal Chromebook and LCD projector) during scaffolding my ASPLOs to better meet the language needs of my ESL students when prior preparation is not possible. Google Read & Write can function in google docs, webpages, and pdf documents.

Google Read & Write allows me for scaffolding ASPLO handout sections by: on spot translations; text definitions in student’s home languages to English; access to a Pictionary dictionary; and electronic readers to any and all sections of the ASPLO organizers.

This allows me to quickly address ESL student needs in an organized manner outside of normal instruction. My modeling the uses of Google Read & Write has allowed students to become familiarized with the program for individual use during Science with the Science Chromebooks.

This program is available free to all teachers. Students in the Boston Public Schools are provided access. This program can be greatly utilized in all aspects of teaching but requires an LCD projector and laptop/chrome-book for class-wide implementation.

The key features I use most often are: **Text to Speech** to read selections or documents students have a hard copy to to promote word recognition and pronunciation. Multiple narrative voices available with narration speed able to be modified. **Translator** to provide quick representation of Spanish, French, or Portuguese to the terms in English. **Picture Dictionary** to provide images or symbols to specific words or phrases to help support fluency and understanding. 

[|Google Read & Write Tutorial]