Articles written by Margaret M. Williams
All 96 articles written by Margaret M. Williams
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Move beyond guided reading groups to take the next step in best practices for teaching literacy in this how-to manual for daily reading assessment and instruction. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
NCLB requires that ELLs be provided accommodations when taking content assessments. Find out which accommodations are most responsive to and appropriate for ESL students. more...
October is Czech Heritage Month: Celebrate by Learning to Speak the Czech Language
Category: Language Study (general)
Celebrate Czech Heritage Month - and all year long - by learning Czech words and phrases. Explore online and audio resources for Czech language learning. more...
Category: Learning Japanese
A number of organizations sponsor Japanese language study for international students. Tap into these funding sources to travel, live, and learn in Japan. more...
Category: English as a Second Language
The release of a report by the Texas Public Policy Foundation declaring bilingual education to be a failed policy is causing educators to question the practice again. more...
Category: Primary School Lesson Plans
Help K-3 students build number sense and relationships through math games and activities using the hundreds pocket chart, individual charts, and number tile boards. more...
Category: Primary School Lesson Plans
Try these elementary math teaching activities to help build number concepts and improve math understanding using a hundreds pocket chart on a daily basis. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Tips and suggestions for helping English language learners succeed in regular education classrooms. How to help ELLs understand when teaching in the content areas. more...
Category: History Books
Joseph Priestley was a scientist, a minister, and a friend of Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Johnson's book looks his life and how he influenced the Founding Fathers. more...
Learn Portuguese Vocabulary Quickly: Jump Start Language Study with Portuguese/English Cognates
Category: Learning Portugese
Beginning language students can learn new and easy Portuguese vocabulary simply by being aware of the many English/Portuguese look-alike words, also known as cognates. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
ESL teachers can help English language learners build communication skills while improving reading comprehension as they scaffold literature response journaling. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Providing open-ended reading response prompts can help ESL students participate more fully in literature discussions and improve their comprehension. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Learn how to create and use anchor charts to help English language learners become better readers. Strategies help ESL students improve decoding and comprehension skills. more...
Category: Learning Spanish
A review of Spanish language romance films from Mexico, Spain, Cuba, and Argentina that can help foreign language learners practice listening skills. more...
Strategies to Support ESL Students in Math: Scaffolding Tips for ELL Mathematics Instruction
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
How to help English language learners develop math concepts while learning English. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
This linguistic reference tool documents regional English language for use by linguists, teachers, researchers, language learners, and anyone who loves studying words. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
Busuu.com offers language learners the opportunity to learn foreign languages through coursework and live interaction with native speakers. Learn about this new website. more...
Learn to Speak Ojibwe: Resources for Learning the Ojibwe (Chippewa) Language
Category: Language Study (general)
A roundup of schools, educational, self-study, Internet, and print resources for people who want to learn to speak the Ojibwe language. more...
Prompts for ELL Language Lessons: Ideas to get English Language Learners Speaking and Writing
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Questions, conversation starters, and writing prompts that can be used for oral language exercises, journal writing, and other English as a second language lessons. more...
Presidential Freedom Quotes: Quotations on Liberty and Freedom by Great American Leaders
Category: Political Philosophy
Great quotes on the ideals of freedom and liberty by seven American leaders from George Washington to Barack Obama. more...
One Person, One Language: The OPOL Method for Raising a Bilingual Child
Category: Language Study (general)
A popular method for teaching young children to speak multiple languages, the One Person, One Language system has both advantages and challenges for the bilingual family. more...
Category: Teaching Strategies/Mentorship
Reading consultant Kathy Collins shows how to use reading clubs to teach K-3 students to read with power, intention, and joy in this resource for primary grade teachers. more...
Category: ESL Materials
This "quick guide" book describes strategies for scaffolding and teaching English language learners in a kindergarten choice time workshop format. more...
Money and Kids in the Elementary Classroom: Teaching Primary Grade Children About Economics
Category: Primary School Curriculum
Find out how to develop a primary grade economics program using a hands-on approach to learning about money. more...
Category: Primary School Lesson Plans
Learn how to implement a classroom store as part of a K-3 mathematics program. Bring important economic concepts to life with hands-on math experiences. more...
Hostess Gift Ideas to Take Abroad: Suggestions for Thank You Gifts to Give to Foreign Hosts
Category: Work/Study Abroad (general)
Travel gift ideas for appropriate, low-cost, easy-to-carry thank you presents that foreign hosts will appreciate receiving. more...
How to Get Rid of a Raccoon in the Chimney: Raccoon Pest Control and Removal Suggestions
Category: Home Owner Tips
What can be done when raccoons invade the chimney? Find out the best methods of raccoon control and removal and how to avoid killing these urban wildlife animals. more...
Category: Learning French
Use Christmas and holiday-themed song titles and lyrics to challenge students to practice translating French phrases and to encourage learning more French vocabulary. more...
Learn German Vocabulary Quickly: Jumpstart Language Study with German/English Cognates
Category: Learning German
Beginning language students can learn new and easy German vocabulary simply by being aware of the many English/German look-alike words, also known as cognates. more...
Category: Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts
Create a Kwanzaa decoration that incorporates key symbols representing the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, of this African American celebration. more...
Learn Japanese Vocabulary Quickly: Jumpstart Language Study with Japanese/English Cognates
Category: Learning Japanese
Beginning language students can learn new and easy Japanese vocabulary by becoming aware of the many English/Japanese look-alike words, also known as cognates. more...
Category: Holiday Kids Crafts
Thanksgiving keepsake placemats are simple to make. This family craft project will delight holiday guests and can be used year after year. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Help ESL students improve written language skills by providing support and accommodations for their composition efforts. more...
Category: Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts
Create decorative mini-gift boxes to hold small personal items or give away with this paper-folding craft idea that recycles new and used greeting cards. more...
What it Means to Comprehend: How to Know if Students Truly Understand What They Read
Category: Teaching Strategies/Mentorship
Readers read to understand. But what does it mean to truly comprehend written text? What strategies aid readers in attaining the ability to synthesize ideas and concepts? more...
Learn French Vocabulary Quickly: Jumpstart Language Study with French/English Cognates
Category: Learning French
Beginning language students can learn new and easy French vocabulary quickly by being aware of the many English/French look-alike words, also known as cognates. more...
Credit Unions' Financial Stability: How are Credit Unions Surviving the Current Economic Crisis?
Category: Investment (general)
What does the mortgage crisis and the financial meltdown of 2008 mean for U.S. credit unions and their members? Are credit unions affected in the same way as banks? more...
Category: English as a Second Language
Teach ESL students of all ages how to increase their ability to read for meaning by providing support and accommodations as they improve their English language skills. more...
Study Mandarin or Cantonese: Which Chinese Language Is Most Useful to Learn?
Category: Learning Chinese
Learning to speak Chinese is becoming a popular subject of study in high schools and colleges around the world. Find out whether to learn Mandarin or Cantonese. more...
Best Guesthouse in Northern Greece: SartiVista, Affordable Accommodations Overlooking the Aegean Sea
Category: Greece Travel
With a breathtaking view looking out over the Aegean Sea and Mount Athos, the SartiVista bed and breakfast offers travelers an off-the-beaten-path Greek experience. more...
Traveling to Japan For the First Time: Things to Know Before the Traveler Goes - A Visitor's Guide
Category: Japan Travel
Helpful information and tips to help make the traveler's first visit to Japan stress-free and memorable. more...
Mischief in Moonstone - A Review: A Fun-Filled Mystery Romance Anthology by Author Christine DeSmet
Category: Chick Lit
A teacher, a chef, a police officer, a casino card dealer, and a grocer all live and all fall in love in Moonstone, Wisconsin in this humorous romantic anthology. more...
The Black Hole War - A Review: Leonard Susskind’s New Book About the Mysteries of the Universe
Category: Astrophysics
Susskind's "Battle with Stephen Hawking to Make the World Safe for Quantum Mechanics" is a fascinating, if mind-boggling, read. more...
Math Standards for K–12 Education: NCTM Works to Improve the Quality of Math Teaching and Learning
Category: Curricula/Lesson Plans (general)
Today's children are growing up in a world that requires a high level of understanding and fluency in mathematics. Who is ensuring that will happen-and how? more...
Dead Ex by Harley Jane Kozak: Review of a Sassy, Entertaining New Mystery Novel
Category: Mystery/Crime Fiction (general)
Wollie Shelley, the most unlikely of detectives, must discover who killed a soap opera mogul in order to save her best friend, in the mystery book Dead Ex. more...
A Sampling of Wisconsin Wineries: Best Places to Taste and Buy Wine in the Heart of Cheese Country
Category: Wisconsin Travel
Wisconsin is home to more than thirty family-owned and award winning wineries. Midwest wines make for fruity tasting sessions. more...
Japanese Language Learning Programs: Learn to Speak Japanese Using CDs and Self Study Programs
Category: Learning Japanese
Learning Japanese will take time and patience. For those wishing to study independently, several language self-study options are reviewed in this article. more...
Category: Biographies/Memoirs (general)
Twentieth century icon, Albert Einstein, found himself the center of adulation and controversy, all because he came up with a not-so-simple little formula called E=MC². more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
A social studies lesson plan for English language learners that integrates vocabulary development and the geography concepts of village, town, and city. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Try these strategies to help elementary English language learners read and understand what is being asked in math word problems. more...
Category: Learning Arabic
A number of organizations sponsor Arabic language study for U.S. students. Tap into these funding sources to travel, live, and learn in Middle Eastern countries. more...
Category: Learning Japanese
Lammars' unique guide to Japanese grammar and language structure draws on popular manga comics and graphic novels as a teaching tool, but has some drawbacks. more...
Category: English as a Second Language
ESL students may sound fluent when speaking with friends and teachers, but they need to work toward academic language fluency to succeed in school and beyond. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
These tips and suggestions for using the 100 chart focus on ways k-3 teachers can help ESL students build math vocabulary and strengthen their number sense. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Strategies for writing math story problems that ESL students can understand and tips for scaffolding problem solving for English language learners. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
This comprehension guide to TEFL training and job hunting for native English speakers who want to teach ESL overseas is an informative and practical resource. more...
Category: Learning Portugese
Jump start Portuguese language study and quickly add vocabulary by learning cognates for verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and concept words. more...
Learn Spanish with Twitter: Improve Spanish Language Skills with Premier Social Networking Site
Category: Learning Spanish
Twitter can be more than a social networking site. Spanish language students can begin learning or improve their communication skills via this micro-blogging platform. more...
Literature Response Journals for K-12 Students: A Powerful Strategy to Improve Literacy Skills
Category: Classroom Activities
Learn how literature response journals can be powerful tools for helping students of any age improve writing skills and develop reading comprehension. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Work with English language learner to create math anchor charts. Teach strategies for using both commercial and class-made math visuals as interactive reference tools. more...
Category: ESL Materials
Anchor charts provide visuals for ESL students to track their learning and serve as reference tools. Use this teaching strategy to help scaffold ELL learning. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
Cassidy's book traces the influence of Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) on American slang and illustrates the cultural influence of Irish immigrants on the American experience. more...
Learn to Speak Irish Language: Resources for Learning Gaeilge (Gaelic)
Category: Language Study (general)
The Irish language is called Gaeilge, but is sometimes referred to as Gaelic. There are many resources for learning Irish both online and in print and audio/video media. more...
Readicide by Educator Kelly Gallagher: Review of New Book on Reading Education in U.S. Schools
Category: Curriculum Issues
Teacher Kelly Gallagher takes No Child Left Behind to task, says schools are killing reading, and tells his readers what to do about it in his new book. Read the review. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
Learn to speak a foreign language online with this roundup of interactive websites that offer language courses, resources, and online social networking opportunities. more...
The Ojibwe (Chippewa) Language: Facts and Information about the People Who Speak Ojibwe
Category: Language Study (general)
The Ojibwe language is spoken by indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada. Learn the facts about this native language. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
This language intensive lesson plan will help English language learners practice speaking and listening skills using a community circle format. more...
The Minority Language at Home Bilingual Method: Teaching Children to Speak Two Languages
Category: Language Study (general)
Once out of favor, the Minority Language at Home model has more recently been embraced as a culturally responsive and effective approach to raising a bilingual child. more...
Category: Great Thinkers (general)
A collection of famous and sometimes provocative quotes about the meaning and nature of liberty is offered for debate and discussion. more...
Category: Learning Italian
Break out the popcorn and snuggle up with these romantic Italian language films to practice Italian listening skills. more...
Category: Primary School Lesson Plans
Take the class store concept a step further to give kids hands-on math practice using money and create a lesson about basic economics. more...
Category: Primary School Lesson Plans
An economics program to teach primary grade students about the monetary system using the hands-on experience of a daily allowance. more...
Category: Learning French
Curl up with these romantic French language films and practice French listening skills at the same time. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
A variety of online websites and support groups, as well magazines, newsletters, and books, provide the information, strategies, and support bilingual families need. more...
How to Raise a Bilingual Child: Ensuring Fluency in Children Raised in Two-Language Families
Category: Language Study (general)
When parents speak more than one language, which one should the children learn? Find out what the experts say about bilingualism and simultaneous language learning. more...
Learn French With Christmas Words and Phrases: Build New Vocabulary with French Holiday Language
Category: Learning French
Beginning language students can have fun and learn French vocabulary by focusing on words and phrases associated with the Christmas holiday. more...
Category: Language Study (general)
Offer New Year's greetings and best wishes in multiple languages. Learn how to say "Happy New Year" around the world. more...
Show and Tell for ESL Classrooms: Teaching Strategies for Extended English Language Practice
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
These instructional strategies give English language learners the opportunity to practice their developing language skills through guided Show and Tell experiences. more...
Category: Learning Farsi
Students of foreign languages wondering which Middle Eastern language to study and learn, Arabic or Persian (also known as Farsi), need to consider several factors. more...
What to Know About Arabic vs Farsi: Facts and Misconceptions About These Middle Eastern Languages
Category: Language Study (general)
Over the past decade there has been an increased call for English speakers fluent in Arabic and Persian (Farsi). Find out how these Middle Eastern languages are related. more...
Category: Teaching Strategies/Mentorship
Karen Szymusiak, Franki Sibberson, and Lisa Koch's new edition of their popular book for elementary teachers offers multiple strategies to support transitional readers. more...
Learn Italian Vocabulary Quickly: Jumpstart Language Study with Italian/English Cognates
Category: Learning Italian
Beginning language students can learn new and easy Italian vocabulary fast by becoming aware of the many English/Italian look-alike words, also known as cognates. more...
Learn Spanish Vocabulary Quickly: Jumpstart Language Study with Spanish/English Cognates
Category: Learning Spanish
Beginning language students can learn new and easy Spanish vocabulary simply by being aware of the many English/Spanish look-alike words, also known as cognates. more...
Category: Mortgages/Loans (general)
Credit unions are member-owned. Most have stayed solvent during the 2008 economic crisis. What did they do differently than banks? more...
Students Write to U.S. President: A Primary Language Arts Lesson Plan to Teach Letter Writing Skills
Category: Primary School Lesson Plans
Teach persuasive writing and the meaning of freedom of speech while integrating the social studies curriculum with a literacy unit focusing on how to write a letter. more...
American Sign Language Today: More Than Coded Gestures, ASL a Complete Language in its Own Right
Category: Learning Sign Language
American Sign Language is a symbolic linguistic system which must be taught, learned, and processed by the brain the same as with any language, native or foreign. more...
Category: ESL Programs/Lessons
Use the context of friendship and community building to improve sentence writing skills and English language acquisition in a primary grade ESL classroom. more...
Category: Teaching Strategies/Mentorship
With the release of Debbie Miller's "Teaching with Intention," it's a good time to take a new look at her first book for primary grade teachers. more...
Category: Teaching Strategies/Mentorship
Defining beliefs, aligning practice, taking action - master teacher Debbie Miller paves the way toward building a successful teaching/learning environment. more...
A Successful Japanese Homestay: What to Expect When Visiting an Asian Family
Category: Japan Travel
An extended visit in a foreign country can be both rewarding and stressful. Learn how to ensure that your Japan homestay is positively memorable. more...
Category: Primary School Curriculum
NCTM provides standards for the mathematical understanding, knowledge, and skills all students are expected to acquire. Here is a look at the Pre-K-2 strand. more...
The Writers Guild of America: What is the WGA and Who can Belong?
Category: Writing for Stage/Screen (general)
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) negotiates wages and pay schedules for its members, along with other benefits like pensions and health care. more...
Experience Escanaba, Michigan's Many Delights: A Hidden Treasure in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Category: Michigan Travel
Whether one's passion is sailing the Great Lakes or exploring undiscovered locales, Escanaba, Michigan on Little Bay de Noc is a secret waiting to be revealed. more...
Visiting Japan? What to Know!: Learn Basic Japanese Greetings and Cultural Protocol
Category: Japan Travel
Traveling in Japan can be overwhelming to anyone unfamiliar with Japanese language and culture. A little study can help ease the transition for visitors to Japan. more...
Gilda's Club Offers Cancer Support: A Unique Meeting Place for People Living with Cancer
Category: Cancer
Named in memory of the late comedienne Gilda Radner, the Gilda's Club network provides free emotional and social support for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer. more...
Himeji Castle in Japan: Japanese Military Architecture at its Finest
Category: Japan Travel
Touring Himeji Castle is an experience the entire family will enjoy. Located in the Kansai region, this taste of Japan's military heritage is a must see. more...
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