Inclusive School communities Checklist

At the school level:

Parents are provided with information about accessing community

resources
School walls display photos and visuals that represent all students in
the school

The school honours cultural diversity by celebrating a variety of

cultural and faith celebrations throughout the year
The school hosts multicultural events, displays multicultural work and
invites parents into the school to share their cultural knowledge

Communication sent home to parents is written in simplified

language or in L1
The school provides parenting sessions to inform parents of the ways
in which they can support their childs language development at home

School staff collaborate on ways to support ELLs at staff meeting or

during set collaboration times
Multicultural workers, translators or bilingual teachers are available to
communicate student learning to parents
At the classroom level:
When possible new ELLs are placed in classrooms where other
students share their L1

The teacher checks in with ELLs during lessons to check for

comprehension and to provide support
Photos, displays and student biographies are displayed in the
classroom to show the value of student identity

The teacher plans lessons that provide opportunities for students to

explore their roots and cultural backgrounds
Displays and labels are used in the classroom in languages other than
English

Students have access to books that reflect their culture and identities

The teacher plans lessons and classroom activities so ELLs can be

active participants
References

Richmond School District #38 Elementary ELL/ESL Guidelines: www.esl-

sd38.wikispaces.com
Coelho, Elizabeth. Adding English: A guide to teaching in multilingual classrooms.
Don Mills, Ontario: Pippin, 2004. Print.