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On the first day of school, Javier was thrilled to finally be in an English 

language classroom after his parents and siblings moved all the way 

from Ecuador. He always wondered what it would be like to be in a 

new school and if he would make new friends like the ones he had back 

home. 

He met his new teacher, Ms. Taylor and toured the classroom before 

students arrived at regular school time. Ms. Taylor didn't know a lot of 

Spanish but was willing to work with Javier so he could learn more 

English.

Although Javier missed his old school, he really liked his new teacher, 

was excited to learn English, and wanted to meet new friends. 

The bell rang and students began to collect their belongings from their 

lockers and entered the classroom to start the day.

Many students greeted Javier, waving with excitement learning a new 

student would be in their classroom. Javier felt overwhelmed as he 

was not used to his friends making this gesture towards him. He 

waved back acknowledging this was a sign used when greeting people.

Javier was nervous about communicating with his classmates, as he 

knew very little English and had difficulty verbally expressing 

himself. He hoped that he would fit in even though he spoke a different 

language. 

Once everyone was seated, Ms.Taylor welcomed everyone to her classroom, she introduced 

Javier who was new to the school this year and wanted everyone to make him feel right at 

home. 

She explained to the class that Javier's first language he spoke was Spanish and she wanted 

everyone to work together to help him improve his English throughout the year.  

She then asked students to write down a few of their favourite memories from their 

summer vacation and what they looked forward to learning this school year. 

Students got to work and prepared to share to the rest of the class. Javier, did not 

understand what was asked and drew a picture of his family. 

When it was time to present, students told stories of what they did over the summer, their 

favourite memories, and what they looked forward to for this coming school year.

When Ms.Taylor called on Javier, he stood up and proudly showed his picture to the class. 

Everyone laughed and giggled at him, he looked around to see that nobody else had drawn 

a picture. He quickly sat down in confused and embarrassment.

After lunch, Ms. Taylor asked for her students to line up outside of the 

classroom to get ready for gym class. Most of the students lined up single 

file behind the teacher.

Javier, who was very confused, did not understand what the class was 

doing and why they were leaving. He panicked and thought there was an 

emergency, quickly falling into line with the remainder of the students. 

Javier didn't understand or comprehend what was happening as the class 

started down the hallway. He followed his classmates, unaware of where 

they were going. 

They arrived at the gymnasium for their Phys-ed period. Javier was 

given a gym uniform to wear like the rest of his classmates. Today they 

were playing basketball. 

Many students were very talented basketball players and often left Javier 

out of the drills and games because he didn't understand what they were 

saying or the teacher's explanation. 

When Javier tried to follow his classmates, they often laughed at him for 

making mistakes. 

Javier played with a ball by himself because he didn't know how to ask 

for help and didn't want to be laughed at. 

During recess, Javier's classmates enjoyed various activities with one 

another on the pavement and grass area.

A group of boys asked "Javier, would you like to come play football with 

us?"

Javier, unaware of what the boys were asking, simply shrugged his 

shoulders with confusion in reply.

The boys walked away pointing and laughing at him, making fun of the 

way he spoke and how he was different than everyone else.

Javier stood by himself, away from all the other students, watching 

everyone else play until the bell rang to head back inside. 

After returning from recess, the class settled into their school work and 

Ms.Taylor helped Javier complete his work.  

Kyle, a boy who witnessed his classmates laughing at Javier, asked 

"Ms.Taylor, is it okay if I sit beside Javier and help him complete his work?"

Ms.Taylor responded "Yes, of course".

Kyle and Javier worked through the activity by using pictures to help Javier 

understand words in English. Javier worked well with Kyle and found the 

pictures very helpful in order to understand the meaning of certain words.

The bell rang and everyone was dismissed from school. Javier quickly 

gathered his things and left the classroom before everyone else. 

Kyle stayed behind and told Ms.Taylor about his classmates laughing at 

Javier during recess. Ms. Taylor expressed that a few changes would occur 

within the classroom the following day to make Javier feel more comfortable. 

Javier got dressed and ready for school, in hopes of having a better day than 

his first. He met his classmates outside and waited for the bell to ring. 

Everyone greeted him with waves and smiles, trying to make him feel 

welcome and included.

Ms. Taylor, was waiting for the whole class to arrive before talking about 

their first day of school. She explained "Students should not laugh at Javier 

and his language barrier, as it is not nice and very hurtful to him. All of my 

students are different in many ways and that's no reason to make fun of 

someone. I want all of my students to feel welcome and included inside my 

classroom."

She announced "We will be doing something new in the classroom, 

everyone will create and wear their own name tag and we will label 

classroom items to help Javier's English. Everyone will be given a role and 

duty to help not only Javier but everyone feel included."

 The class excitedly created name tags and labels in hopes Javier's would 

improve and feel more comfortable. 

Students within the class were assigned jobs and roles inside and outside 

the classroom to help Javier. 

When they moved from their classroom, Ms. Taylor assigned a Line 

Leader and Caboose so Javier could understand when it was time to 

leave and where to stand in line. A student would help him by counting 

off each person within the class to help Javier's number pronunciation. 

Ms.Taylor wanted the class to include Javier in activities and help him 

when necessary. She assigned two students a day to be Javier's buddy, 

helping him if he had any questions or concerns.

The class really enjoyed being able to use pictures and actions for 

additional explanation when Javier needed further assistance. 

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