Learn with Mel Hern

  Helping Older Struggling Readers: A Guide for Parents and Educators Is your child or student in upper elementary or middle school and still struggling with reading? It can feel disheartening to see them fall behind their peers. As students get older, the gap widens between their reading ability and the demands of the curriculum. However, there are effective strategies you can use to help these students build their reading skills and confidence. It may not be easy but it all students can improve upon their reading with targeted reading instruction. The Challenge for Older Readers By upper elementary and middle school, a student's reading struggles are often more complex than just a simple lack of phonics skills. The issue may stem from a combination of factors, including: Weaknesses in Foundational Skills: While they may have some basic decoding skills, they might struggle with multisyllabic words, fluency, or automaticity. This means they are still sounding out words that their ...

  Understanding the Unique Role of an ESL Teacher ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers serve as language instructors, cultural liaisons, emotional supporters, and advocates. Your role goes beyond teaching grammar or vocabulary—you're empowering students to access learning, feel safe, and belong. Bridging Language and Cultural Gaps Students enter your room with a wide range of English proficiency and cultural experiences. Begin the year by validating their identities. Use greetings in their home languages, display international flags, and share stories about yourself. This helps students relate to you and each other. ESL Teacher Responsibilities Beyond Academics Beyond academics, you’ll often: Help with school registration and interpretation Translate important documents Support students during behavior interventions Collaborate with school psychologists or social workers Start strong by making yourself visible and helpful in these ways. Preparing Your Cl...