Word Clouds!
             Edudemic is a great site that has a great many resources that show you how to integrate technology into your lessons. This particular page introduces 9 sites where you can make word clouds. Each site is listed with a short description about the site. The descriptions include a link to the website and a review of the benefits and drawback of that word cloud generator.
           Word clouds are a great way to present information without requiring too much writing. Words clouds display content in a visual manner. Utilizing word clouds can enhance vocabulary instruction. Direct vocabulary instruction is important when teaching academic vocabulary to ELLs (Wright, p. 42, 2010). Teachers can have students create a word cloud based on a specific concept after direct vocabulary instruction has been given. This will allow students to group the words of that specific content area together. Students get a stronger grasp on concepts when they are exposed to them in different ways. Word clouds present vocabulary in a written as well as visually stimulating way. 

Wright, W. E. (2010). Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice (Second ed.). Philadelphia: Caslon Pub.

Mind Mapping 
​        This resource allows the user to create their own mind map. A mind map starts with one main topic and branches out into many subtopics. This site makes it easy to input your own information and topics to create a map of any content you choose. This form of organizing information is great for separating the different aspects of one topic. It is also great for making connections between topics.
            Teachers and students can use this resource to demonstrate information and learning. As a teacher I would use this type of resource to display visually the connection between the different aspects of a topic we are studying. I would be able show students the path of learning they will be taking in a unit. The students can also use this resource to display their knowledge of a subject. When studying a person or event the students can make a mind map about it. They will be expected, after adequate instruction, to make connections between the main person or event and other subtopics. This resource allows students to show their knowledge of content without too much of a language constraint. This is great for ELLs because they may not be proficient enough in writing to present connections between topics in an essay format. This format requires less writing, but the same knowledge of content. 

              

Teaching Writing 
          The TESOL International Association is a great resource when teaching English language learners. They have many resources to expand your knowledge about teaching ELLs. This specific page lists 10 resources to teach writing to young learners. All 10 resources are online, and a link is provided. Each of the resources is described with a short blurb about how they help teachers and students with writing instruction. 
          All of the resources listed provide scaffolding for the students, which is a vital aspect of ELD. When students begin writing it is important that the teacher provides support for the student, and as the student gains competence and confidence in writing they will gradually write with more independence (Carrasquillo, Kucer and Abrams, p. 45, 2004). The first resource has mad libs and writing guides for the students. I would use these with my class and especially with ELLs to support them in their early writing stages. The mad libs allow students to begin practicing how to effectively use nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. This is a step towards writing with those aspects of grammar. The resources on this site provide various ways to scaffold writing instruction for students. 

Carrasquillo, A. L., Kucer, S. B., & Abrams, R. (2004). Beyond the beginnings: Literacy interventions for upper elementary English language learners. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.