Slide notes to go with Let Their Voices Be Heard PP

1. ter Weele Library Conference Presentation
Let Their Voices Be Heard: Creating a culture of inclusion for
ELL students in your library or classroom
50 Word Session Description
This session encourages librarians and teachers to inspire confidence and trust with their English
Language Learner population through four online tools: flipgrid, screencast-o-matic, wizer.me,
and duolingo. Each tool will be presented with four curriculum connections, including one that’s
SOL specific. This 49 minute presentation is aimed at 2nd – 4th grade.
Slide 1, time: 45 seconds
Thank you for having me today. As a student at ODU in their school librarian program, I’ve had
the opportunity to explore a lot of online tools that can help us in our schools. Here are four free
web-based tools that will help inspire confidence in all students, but will especially help ELL
students find their voice. Before any student can take the next step to anything, they have to
have confidence in themselves. These tools help them develop self confidence and trust in their
classroom community. Although these tools can be used for almost any grade, I’m aiming my
ideas today at 2nd – 4th grade.
Slide 2, time: 1 minute
I am currently enjoying teaching elementary music and have been at the same school for 12 years
now. When ODU sent an email about classroom teachers getting their master’s degree to
become school librarians, I wondered if this might be a neat opportunity for me. Since this
degree is completely online, it’s been an interesting challenge! It is my hope that from my
unique perspective as an elementary music teacher and a prospective school librarian, I can
inspire you to give some of these AASL recommended tools a try in your library or classroom.
I’m sure we would all like to inspire confidence and trust in all our students, but I’d like to
particularly encourage our English Language Learner population. For ELL students, it might be
a lot easier for them to hear the assignment rather than just read it, or be able to present aurally
rather than in writing.
Slide 3, time: 1 minute
Flipgrid is a video discussion platform that can be used by anyone on any device. The free
version offers unlimited student videos up to 90 seconds. Sign-up is extremely simple and only
takes about a minute. I first used it last summer for a music class. Instead of taking up class

2. time playing for the teacher, we all submitted our recorder videos on our own time. This meant
we could do as many takes as we liked before we turned it in!
For an online ODU class this semester, we all introduced ourselves via Flipgrid and were able to
respond to each other’s comments. This was especially nice in a totally online class where we
have no other opportunity of meeting.
As a teacher, you can moderate videos, provide custom feedback, set the privacy rules, and more.
There are so many ways Flipgrid can be used in the classroom, but today I want to focus on just
four that you can use in your library or classroom.
Slide 4, time: 30 seconds
I love to read, but the thought of writing a book report doesn’t excite me at all. What if your
students had up to 90 seconds to convince their classmates to read their book? It is so much
more dynamic to present in a video. It would be much easier for an ELL student to be able to
participate fully in this assignment than if it had to be written.
Slide 5, time: 1:45
Students really value their peers’ opinions and enjoy the social aspect of seeing what their
classmates value in a book. It’s like an online book club, because students can also comment on
each other’s presentations, as well as seeing all the comments. If you decide 90 seconds isn’t
enough, you might consider Flipgrid classroom at $65 a year, with five minute student videos
and more than 50 classroom features.
Here is how one middle school librarian introduces her Flipgrid Book Talk to her students.
(Click link to play 1 minute video.)
Slide 6, time: 30 seconds
How often do we wish we had time for every student’s input in the conversation? Flipgrid
provides that opportunity for every student to be able to respond to, “What did you learn today?”
or “What did you create today?” Have each student reflect on the lesson/project by responding
in a 90 second post on Flipgrid.
Slide 7, time: 1:30
Students are already used to responding to comments in social media. Why not capitalize on that
by asking students to respond to a question about their reading through Flipgrid? Then they
could extend the discussion by responding to their classmates’ posts.
Here is how two librarians are encouraging teachers in their school to use Flipgrid.
(Click link to play 1 minute video.)

3. Slide 8, time: 2:40
Students can explain their thinking and critique the reasoning of others as they work through a
math problem.
Here is an example of one teacher using Flipgrid to have her students create and explain a bar
model. (Click link and play to 2:18.)
Slide 9, time: 1:30
Here is an SOL specific idea for 4th grade math. I remember being introduced to long division in
4th grade. When I saw all the steps written out, I thought, I’ll never be able to remember all that!
How much more fun (and memorable) would it be if the students were assigned to work out a
long division problem for each other with Flipgrid, maybe even with a rap or a song? Doing this
assignment in Flipgrid could be the difference for an ELL student to make this a painful or
painless activity. Watch how these students really get into their math! (Click link and play 1
minute video.)
Slide 10, time: 2-3 minutes
Does anyone have any questions about Flipgrid? https://flipgrid.com/
Pros: Students only have 90 seconds to record, so they need to plan their response carefully.
Oh, but it’s free!
Cons: Not every student has access to a device with a camera, so some will need access during
classtime.
Would anyone like to share their Flipgrid experience with the group?
Slide 11, time: 45 seconds
Anything you want to record on your screen, whether it’s a website, or you making a video, can
be recorded quickly and easily with Screencast-o-matic. You can add text, shapes, or draw
freehand. You can publish to the cloud or your intranet. The free version records up to 15
minutes. It’s recommended for any age for viewing, upper elementary for creating, and you
record directly through the internet. Screencast-o-matic provides tech support 24/7 in case you
get stuck. Students can access it anytime, anywhere.
Slide 12, time: 1 minute
There are so many ways to use screencast-o-matic in the library or classroom! You can: record
procedures, answer questions, make a video to help a substitute teacher, record a student
presentation, students can share student created content as part of a homework or class activity,
it’s a fun, unique approach to digital storytelling, you can explain an assignment for home use,

4. answer FAQs, give feedback to common errors, parents can participate with extended learning at
home, promote classroom projects, and flipped or blended learning, where students can watch at
home and then work with the teacher on these skills in class.
For ELL students especially, screencast-o-matic allows them to deliver a video presentation
instead of a written one, watch teacher made presentations to develop and practice language
skills, learn at their own pace, and take advantage of repeat instruction.
Slide 13, time: 1:30
Using screencast-o-matic, this ELL student shares the story of why cows don’t have upper teeth.
(Click link and play 1:24 video.)
Slide 14, time: 40 seconds
At the beginning of the year in our elementary school, there are All About Me posters
everywhere. Have the students create a digital version of All About Me using screencast-o-matic
with the webcam to create a short, personal video. Take the assignment a bit further and
challenge the students to express what they’d like to learn together as well. This assignment
could help your ELL students get to know their classmates even better if they have the ability to
watch these introduction videos over and over again.
Slide 15, time: 3:30
Many students have pictures of their families on their phones and computers. Have your
students create a digital story of their families using screencast-o-matic. This will give your ELL
students a chance to share their voice either in their native language or in another language
they’re learning. Here is one student’s introduction to her family. (Click on link and play 3
minute video.)
Slide 16, time: 4:30
Have your students explain a math problem using screencast-o-matic. They could use the paint
function, the webcam and pencil and paper, or even manipulatives. Students needing extra
practice could watch these student-made videos as many times as needed. Here is a teacher
using screencast-o-matic to help explain multiplying fractions. (Click on link to play 4 minute
video.)
Slide 17, time: 20 seconds
Here is the specific 5th grade math sol for the previous link.
Slide 18, time: 3-4 minutes
Does anyone have any questions about Screencast-o-matic? https://screencast-o-matic.com/

5. Pros: 1. It’s free!
2. You don’t have to install it, just use it in your web browser.
3. No login, no account required
4. You can record the entire screen, or just a portion.
5. There’s a yellow circle around the cursor, so you can follow it better.
6. It places a target over every mouse click.
7. You can save it as an mp4/flu/avi file.
8. You can easily upload it to youtube or the screencast-o-matic website.
Cons: 1. Limited recording time of 15 minutes
2. Screencast-o-matic places a watermark on your recording in the free version.
3. There’s recording software out there with more features.
4. Once it’s published, you can’t edit it.
5. The video quality is not as good as the original.
Would anyone like to share their Screencast-o-matic experience with the group?
Slide 19, time: 1 minute
Wizer.me has managed to make worksheets interesting, mostly because they’re online! You can
insert video and even record your own voice reading the questions aloud or insert an audio file –
perfect for ELL students. Wizer lite is free! Register an account as a teacher and watch a
tutorial on how to create a worksheet. Differentiated instruction is only if you upgrade your
account, which costs money unfortunately. And wizer lite does not include the audio answer
option. You can edit other’s worksheets and also choose cover image, color, and font. You are
encouraged to rate other’s worksheets if you want to copy/edit them. “Alone we can do so little,
together we can do so much.” by Helen Keller is a quote on their site to encourage you to take
advantage of the wizer.me community.
Slide 20, time: 3:30
I can’t think of a better example for my theme, Let Their Voices Be Heard, then Martin Luther
King Jr.’s speech, I Have a Dream. In this worksheet that I found on wizer.me, there is a five
minute embedded video of MLK’s I Have a Dream speech that is delivered entirely by 4th
graders, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial – right where Rev. King gave it the first time. Out
of the 5 questions, 3 are reflection questions that the student can record their answer in audio. It

6. finishes with asking the student to share what things they themselves dream of. (Click on link
and show 3 minutes of video, then reflection questions in worksheet.)
Slide 21, time: 30 seconds
Here is the specific 2nd grade social studies sol for the previous link. Standard 2.1 J. The student
will demonstrate skills for historical thinking, geographical analysis, economic decision making,
and responsible citizenship by J) defending positions orally and in writing using content
vocabulary. Discuss the meaning of an individual’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness, as well as equity under the law. This includes reading books about Martin Luther
King, Jr. and explaining how his contributions have changed American lives.
Slide 22, time: 1:30
Sometimes it’s hard to get some students to respond in a group discussion, with the stronger
students getting all the attention. This worksheet on wizer.me allows each 4th grade student to
share their answer in audio or written format. (Click on link to share online worksheet.)
Slide 23, time: 1:30
This worksheet for 2nd grade on wizer.me is a perfect segue to discussing character traits, with
the added advantage of allowing the ELL student to hear the question read to them as many
times as they need to hear it. (Click on the link to share the online worksheet.)
Slide 24, time: 1:30
Here is a wizer.me worksheet to help the student identify nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I was
able to record my own voice reading the nine questions, so the ELL student has the option of
reading or listening to the directions and each sample sentence. (Click on the link to go to the
online worksheet.)
Slide 25, time: 1-2 minutes
Does anyone have any questions about wizer.me? https://app.wizer.me/
Pros: Easy creating, assigning, and feedback for the teacher, easy submission for the student.
Access and editing to the community’s worksheets or make your own!
Cons: Some features may not work on all devices. Higher level thinking skills are not available
on the free version.
Would anyone like to share their wizer.me experience with the group?

7. Slide 26, time: 45 seconds
Duolingo is a free online language program that includes unique features and clear structure for
learning or strengthening skills in several languages. At the same time that your ELL students
can be improving their English skills, your other students could be walking in their shoes for a
bit learning one of 20 languages with more in development. Most languages are available on the
web and in a free app for iPhone. It’s really easy to use: set up your profile, choose your target
language, and set your weekly goals. Because it is set-up like a game, it makes you want to play
again and again.
Slide 27, time: 30 seconds
Give your class a chance to experience other languages even though it’s not a foreign language
class. It is hard to appreciate what living in a foreign country is like if all you’ve heard all your
life is English. Duolingo can make that exploring easy, fun, and educational. Have your
students explore for 5-10 minutes at the beginning of class for a warm-up before reading a book
that takes place in that particular country.
Slide 28, time: 20 seconds
Competition can be a great catalyst for learning. Have a Power Practice Session and create
teams. Use a projector so everyone’s focused on the same screen.
Slide 29, time: 20 seconds
Some students will want to take exploring and learning a foreign language farther – give them
that chance with homework for extra credit.
Slide 30, time: 2 minutes
You might think that Duolingo is just about learning another language, but it’s not! Duolingo
has a learning tool called Tiny Cards, which are online flashcards. You can make your own or
take advantage of Tiny Cards that have already been made by members of the Duolingo
community. Tiny Cards don’t even have to be about a foreign language! I made Tiny Cards for
VA Regions to go with 4th grade VA SOL: VS 10b: Describing the major products and
industries of Virginia’s five regions. (Click on link to my Tiny Cards.)
Slide 31, time: 20 seconds
Here is the specific 4th grade Virginia studies sol for the previous link.
Slide 32, time: 1-2 minutes
Does anyone have any questions about Duolingo? https://www.duolingo.com/

8. Pros: Duolingo has high quality instruction, a clear road map with progress markers, and you
can test out of lessons that are too easy.
Cons: Duolingo has no live e-tutoring (it has a computer voice), and no spoken interaction with
other students.
Would anyone like to share their Duolingo experience with the group?
Slide 33, time: 2 minutes
(Only play if time.) Most of you have probably seen this Rita Pierson video, but I thought it
would be a great way to send us off. (Click on link and play 2 minutes of 7:48 video.)
Slide 34, time: 20 seconds
Thank you so much for allowing me to present to you today. I hope you will continue to come
up with creative ideas for your students and let their voices be heard!
Slide 35-43
References
Total time: 49 minutes