understanding Academic language
Module Overview & Objectives
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to basic concepts and strategies to support language demands within your instructional planning. We will first examine how learning activities are constructed by and through engagement with language. Examining the function of that language will help us design more responsive instruction that provides pathways for all students to access the central content understandings and skills. For this module, you will complete three practice applications. Download this document to record your responses.
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to basic concepts and strategies to support language demands within your instructional planning. We will first examine how learning activities are constructed by and through engagement with language. Examining the function of that language will help us design more responsive instruction that provides pathways for all students to access the central content understandings and skills. For this module, you will complete three practice applications. Download this document to record your responses.
how language 'functions'
Differentiating instruction is important to meeting the diverse needs of students in your classroom. Building scaffolds into your lessons can help all students to work towards the learning objectives even when they are starting from different points. Attending to varied learning styles, breaking complex tasks into smaller pieces, and allowing for student choice can help students to navigate and individualize their own learning path.
Intentional support for language demands is also an integral part of meeting the diverse needs of your students, particularly for English Language Learners. Clearly establishing how language functions in your lesson can help to prepare students with the linguistic supports needed to succeed. Once you have identified the language function, you can then look closely at the related language demands within the lesson. Language demands describe how students will need to use language to communicate their understandings (through writing or speaking). In this module, we will explore how to create useful bridges for all students by attending to language demands and creating space for student talk.
Intentional support for language demands is also an integral part of meeting the diverse needs of your students, particularly for English Language Learners. Clearly establishing how language functions in your lesson can help to prepare students with the linguistic supports needed to succeed. Once you have identified the language function, you can then look closely at the related language demands within the lesson. Language demands describe how students will need to use language to communicate their understandings (through writing or speaking). In this module, we will explore how to create useful bridges for all students by attending to language demands and creating space for student talk.
Practice Application 1
Consider the following lesson objective and standards:
Now, review the following resource from ColorinColorado.org to identify the related academic language function. This chart also offers connections to associated demands and strategies to support students through intentional planning.
Now, review the following resource from ColorinColorado.org to identify the related academic language function. This chart also offers connections to associated demands and strategies to support students through intentional planning.
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Academic Language Function |