ELL Newcomer Math Assessment and Activities

Have you ever had a new student show up to your classroom with no notice? AND they are a newcomer with limited or no English?

Unfortunately, this has happened to me several times and I was tired of feeling unprepared and unwelcoming to my new, nervous students. I wanted them to feel like I had a plan for them (even when I wasn't given time to make one).

This resource has helped immensely with that overwhelming first day! You will introduce yourself and allow the student to read your welcome letter (offered in several languages). Next, they will take an assessment so that you can get a better understanding of their math knowledge. All of the problems are computational, so there is minimal reliance on English knowledge. The problems cover the majority of 5th grade math standards, so no matter where you are at in the year, you can benefit from seeing their progress on these skills.

This resource also gives them something to work on quietly and independently, so they're not sitting like a deer in headlights while you spew English at the rest of the class for 45 minutes! My new students have appreciated getting a chance to show what they know. It gives them a break in a long day of introductions and confusion.

When they are done with the assessment, there are a few pages that allow students to begin learning some simple math terms in English. They can trace each word and then solve some more, simple problems. Give students a chance to get accustomed to their new reality while doing something that is familiar and comfortable.