Scaffolding the Academic Success of Adolescent English Language Learners


Book Description

This book is the result of a decade long effort in school districts such as New York City, Austin, and San Diego to implement challenging instruction that is designed for classrooms that include English learners and that raises the bar and increases engagement for all learners. Classroom vignettes, transcripts of student interactions, and detailed examples of intellectually engaging middle school and high school lessons provide a concrete picture of the instructional approach developed by coauthor Aida Walqui, founder and director of WestEd s Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) initiative.




Amplifying the Curriculum


Book Description

This book presents an ambitious model for how educators can design high-quality, challenging, and supportive learning opportunities for English Learners and other students identified to be in need of language and literacy support. Starting with the premise that conceptual, analytic, and language practices develop simultaneously as students engage in disciplinary learning, the authors argue for instruction that amplifies—rather than simplifies—expectations, concepts, texts, and learning tasks. The authors offer clear guidance for designing lessons and units and provide examples that demonstrate the approach in various subject areas, including math, science, English, and social studies. This practical resource will guide teachers through the coherent design of tasks, lessons, and units of study that invite English Learners (and all students) to engage in productive, meaningful, and intellectually engaging activity. “This book offers the most detailed guide available for designing instruction for students categorized as ELLs. Theoretically grounded and informed by years of implementation and study, this work is without equal in the field. I recommend the book enthusiastically as required reading in all teacher preparation programs.” —Guadalupe Valdés, Bonnie Katz Tenenbaum Professor of Education, Stanford Graduate School of Education “Reflecting its title, this book is an amplification of what it means to provide the best learning opportunities for English Language learners. Drawing on classroom-based research, Amplifying the Curriculum offers many practical examples of intellectually engaging units and tasks. This innovative book belongs on the bookshelves of all teachers.” —Pauline Gibbons, UNSW Sydney “This timely book is a call to educators across the nation to integrate language, literacy, and disciplinary knowledge to improve the education of our new American students.” —Tatyana Kleyn, The City College of New York




Leading Academic Achievement for English Language Learners


Book Description

This practical guide equips school leaders to shape a culture conducive to high academic achievement for English language learners. Includes case studies and quick reference charts.




Promoting Academic Achievement Among English Learners


Book Description

Navigate the current research on promoting success among students who speak little or no English and discover specific recommendations for developing effective policies and programs!




Brain-compatible Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners


Book Description

What is brain-compatible teaching? It emphasizes teaching the way the brain learns naturally. Brain-compatible teaching takes what we know about the structures and functions of the brain and uses it to create "brain-friendly" instructional strategies and assessment practices. Brain-compatible teaching addresses multiple intelligences and learning styles. Focus is placed on the student as an individual. Lessons and assessments are structured in ways that allow every student to reach their full potential. Students are encouraged to draw on their background knowledge, linguistic and cultural experiences, and use these tools as life-long learners. When teaching and assessment practices reflect the myriad students in our classrooms today, success is inevitable. Brain-Compatible Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners is written for teachers looking for solid instructional practices that work well with mainstream as well as English Language Learners (ELLs.) Drawing on the most current neuroscience research, the authors have give a theoretical overview of the twelve topics that contribute to successful brain-compatible teaching and learning and differentiating instruction for ELLs. The book then examines differentiating instruction and how to use such strategies as anchor activities and structures and provides sample lessons of each. Several examples are given to further illustrate aligning teaching with the standards. The book includes five 1-day lesson plans and two 5-day lesson units of activities that demonstrate sustained teaching. These are divided into topic areas and grade levels.







Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English


Book Description

Educating dual language learners (DLLs) and English learners (ELs) effectively is a national challenge with consequences both for individuals and for American society. Despite their linguistic, cognitive, and social potential, many ELsâ€"who account for more than 9 percent of enrollment in grades K-12 in U.S. schoolsâ€"are struggling to meet the requirements for academic success, and their prospects for success in postsecondary education and in the workforce are jeopardized as a result. Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English: Promising Futures examines how evidence based on research relevant to the development of DLLs/ELs from birth to age 21 can inform education and health policies and related practices that can result in better educational outcomes. This report makes recommendations for policy, practice, and research and data collection focused on addressing the challenges in caring for and educating DLLs/ELs from birth to grade 12.







Assessing English Language Learners: Bridges to Educational Equity


Book Description

Build the bridges for English language learners to reach success! Ten years ago, the first edition of Margo Gottlieb’s Assessing English Language Learners changed the dialogue about how educators envision educational equity for students. Since then, the ELL and dual language student populations have grown exponentially, and so has the need for forward-thinking and effective approaches to facilitating students’ academic language development alongside their content knowledge. This thoroughly updated edition of Gottlieb’s classic delivers a complete set of tools, techniques, and ideas for planning and implementing instructional assessment. The book includes: A focus on academic language use in every discipline, from mathematics to social studies, within and across language domains Emphasis on linguistically and culturally responsive assessment as a key driver for measuring academic achievement A reconceptualization of assessment "as," "for," and "of" learning Reflection questions to stimulate discussion around assessment policies and practices to maximize opportunities for teacher input and student engagement This book is an essential resource for pre-service and in-service teachers, educator teams, and school leaders striving toward equity in every classroom. "In this exciting, practitioner-friendly volume, Margo Gottlieb shows us how assessment as, for, and of learning can provide a level playing field for today’s language learners. Educators working with English language learners will find this assessment-moxie book truly invaluable." —W. James Popham, Professor Emeritus University of California, Los Angeles "There are no other books available that cover the topic of fair and equitable assessment practices for English learner as comprehensively as this one. Nor are there any other books with such a rich selection of tools readily available for practitioners. It must belong in every TESOL professional’s library!" —Andrea Honigsfeld, Associate Dean and EdD Program Director Molloy College




Academic Language in Diverse Classrooms: English Language Arts, Grades 6-8


Book Description

Make every student fluent in the language of learning. Language has always been the center of English Language Arts, but with most states adopting CCSS, the focus on language and literacy across the content areas is required. Today it’s more essential than ever that English language learners and proficient English learners have the supports to access and achieve the language of school. The Common Core and ELD standards provide pathways to academic success through academic language. Using an integrated Curricular Framework, districts, schools and professional learning communities can: Design and implement thematic units for learning Draw from content and language standards to set targets for all students Examine standards-centered materials for academic language Collaborate in planning instruction and assessment within and across lessons Consider linguistic and cultural resources of the students Create differentiated content and language objectives Delve deeply into instructional strategies involving academic language Reflect on teaching and learning With dynamic classrooms and units of learning, this book gives you a streamlined path for designing and implementing curriculum that leads to student mastery of academic language—the key to school success. "These volumes are packed with practical ideas that will help all teachers attend to language within their classrooms from the discourse level to word/phrase levels. This is a road map for teaching Common Core content in language rich classrooms, and hence a resource every teacher needs within arm’s reach! It’s all here and clearly presented; this is pure gold for everyone who teaches students to speak, listen, read and write in school, with special attention to English language learners." —Tim Boals, Executive Director of WIDA