Two years ago I began this regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention:

Inside the mind of an undocumented kid is an important article from Fusion.

ESL Teachers Improvise Under Common Core is an honest appraisal of what’s facing us these days.  I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About Common Core Standards & English Language Learners.

This story is a bit bizarre: Update: Unfortunate Stalemate For Feds & Diverse Charters* is from Alexander Russo and Success Academy drops lottery preference for English learners is from Chalkbeat.

I use Cinderella, and the many multicultural versions of the story, in an ELL unit on responding to literature. You can see related posts on our class blog here. Here are a couple of recent articles on the tale:

Why the Story of Cinderella Endures and Resonates is from The Smithsonian.

Disney didn’t invent Cinderella. Her story is at least 2,000 years old. is from Vox.

Analyzing Images with Student Artwork from Poland is from Wendi Pillars. I’m adding it to The Best Ways To Use Photos In Lessons.

Feds Reflect On Successes, Challenges of NAEP’s English-Learner Policy is from Ed Week.

Interview: A State-Level View of Dual Language Learners Policies is from New America.

Simple exercises to improve ELL reading skills is from MultiBriefs.

Word Jumble: Practicing sentence structures is from tekhnologic. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Creating Sentence Scrambles.

Free e-book: Using Games in the Language Classroom is from Adam Simpson. I’m adding it to The Best Ideas For Using Games In The ESL/EFL/ELL Classroom.

Revision With Games comes from Cristina Skybox. I’m adding it to the same list.

Free e-book: How to Present at a Language Teacher’s Conference is also from Adam Simpson.

It’s Time for PechaKucha: Do it with Style is from ELT-Cation. I’m adding it to The Best Sources Of Advice For Making Good Presentations.

Jazz Chants can be a very effective instructional strategy with ELLs, and repetition has a lot to do with it. Here is a video from TED-Ed about why we like repetition, and I’m adding it to The Best Sites (& Videos) For Learning About Jazz Chants: