Survival Camp

Grades 6-8

Analytical & Peer-Based

• • Preserving Dignity: Frame gesturing as "acting code" rather than simple play.
• • Partner Peer Dialogues: Match students to practice holding up cards and reading survivor phrases.
• • Translation Focus: Encourage heavy translation matching since older minds map concepts fast.

Three-Tiered Language Proficiency Differentiation

1 Pre-Production

Goal: Point & Respond

Do not force speaking. Assess comprehension entirely through non-verbal mimes (e.g. "Point to the pencil") and matching pictures on their desk.

2 Early Production

Goal: Label & Trace

Encourage students to produce single words ("Pencil!") or simple chunks ("Help, please"). Focus heavily on tracing letters on the whiteboard/notebook.

3 Speech Emergence

Goal: Simple Sentences

Prompt students to use full survivor phrases: "I need a pencil, please." Have them write out the English words from memory on whiteboards.

Scripted Teacher Prompts (Visual & Gesture Triggers)

Check for Understanding (Teacher):

"Where is the teacher? Point."

"Show me a pencil. Hold it up."

"Show me your bathroom signal."

Peer Scaffolds (Student to Student):

"Help, please." (Hand wave)

"Listen." (Cup hand behind ear)

"I need a pencil." (Points to blank paper)

ESL Basecamp Pro-Tip

Avoid Teacher Over-Talk: Keep instructions on Day 1 to a minimum of spoken English words. Rely on body language, pointing, modeling, facial expressions, and drawing. Do not give elaborate explanations. Let your actions do the talking!

Differentiation & Scaffolding Resource Survival Camp Series

#5

"Can I go to classes?"

Use for: checking hallway schedules

Interactive Notebook Cutout Page Survival Camp Day 2

Grades 6-8

Academic Framing

• • Heterogeneous Grouping: Pair native-language matching partners first, or pair with a supportive "bilingual buddy."
• • Sentence Starters: Push older newcomers to use:
  "I see you [read / write]." on their whiteboards.
• • Timekeeper Roles: Appoint one student as "Camp Ranger" to keep time (30 seconds per round) to appeal to middle-schoolers.

Three-Tiered Language Proficiency Differentiation

1 Pre-Production

Goal: Action Response

Do not force speaking. Assess comprehension entirely through physical response (e.g., when you say "Read", they look at their notebook).

2 Early Production

Goal: Single Chunks

Encourage students to produce single verbs ("Write!") or two-word commands ("Please read"). Focus on tracing Day 2 words.

3 Speech Emergence

Goal: Action Sentences

Prompt students to use full survivor sentences: "Can I write here?" or "Open your notebook." Write action words on whiteboards.

Extension Activity: Compound Survival Phrases

For fast-finishers or students with high cognitive readiness, combine Day 1 and Day 2 vocabulary:

Combo 1 "Write with Pencil"

Combo 2 "Open Notebook"

Combo 3 "Go with Teacher"

ESL Basecamp Pro-Tip

The Power of Peer Modeling: Do not step in too quickly when students struggle. Allow partners to exaggerate gestures or point to anchor items. Reciprocal feedback builds confidence five times faster than teacher instruction.

Cooperative Learning & Differentiation Resource Survival Camp Series