(5) Expression and Fluency

(Series) Use Folklore to Discuss Language

Students become anthropologists in order to explore folktales from their cultures with a focus on language.  Example: In this study... View Article

Bridge Content With More Accessible Texts

In order to prepare students for more challenging and complex texts, more accessible texts can be used to develop skills... View Article

Promote Understanding of Idioms

Students can be explicitly taught that language can be translated in multiple ways depending on the audience and the desired... View Article

Use Stories or Puppets in Social Problem Solving

Use stories or puppets to model and role-play children’s challenging social situations in order to look for possible solutions. Example:... View Article

Prime Students for Discussion with Free-Writing

Have students write low-stakes responses to a brief prompt to help get them ready for discussion. Example: At the start... View Article

Make Prompts Clear and Specific

When asking students to do a written task, make sure you are clear about the role, audience, format, and topic... View Article

Use Multilingual and Visual Guides for Vocabulary

By using vocabulary frames like the Frayer model, emerging bilingual students are given the opportunity to learn new vocabulary in... View Article

Invite Writing Across Languages

By giving students the opportunity to write in their home language, they are are invited to explore their literary abilities... View Article

Provide Multilingual Writing Scaffolds

Offering students multilingual writing scaffolds grants them linguistic access to a task as well as the linguistic supports necessary to... View Article

Use Stories to Explore Number Patterns

Use a sequencing story or song to explore how growing patterns work. Example: After sharing a story or song such... View Article

Create Nonverbal Classroom Conversations

Stimulate thought and conversation between students who struggle to express themselves verbally. Example: Contrary to dominant pedagogical practices, many students... View Article

Offer Talking Point Cards to Support Discussions

Multilingual sentence starter cards can support students with disabilities and emerging bilinguals with content area discussions. Example: Participating in discussions... View Article

Graph Coordinates on the Floor

Create a cartesian plane on the floor for students to practice their graphing skills. Example: Create cartesian plane on the... View Article

Manage Instructional Materials with Livebinders

Support students in managing information and resources by storing and organizing them in an easily accessible online portfolio.   Example:... View Article

Use Voicethread for Sharing Ideas

Ask students to share their thinking about a topic, image or reading by using voice, video or text with Voicethread.... View Article

Provide Alternatives to Written Response with Flipgrid

Allow students to speak their words as an alternative to writing in the classroom with Flipgrid. Example: A student that... View Article

Provide Students Modified Worksheets When Needed

Some students benefit from modified worksheets that have diversified displays and content to meet their needs. Consider building in scaffolds... View Article

Provide Models for Math Computation

When students are learning a new strategy for solving a math computation problem, include a model of a completed problem... View Article

Create Student Portfolios for Reflection

Instead of passing back graded work to take home, have students reflect on their graded work with a portfolio.   Example:... View Article

Use Sentence Starters to Prompt Writing and Discussion

Students will often benefit from sentence starters in order to guide their organization, jump start their thinking, or promote positive... View Article

Personalize Vocabulary with Rating Scales

Instead of giving students a list of words to learn each week, allow students to select their own vocabulary words... View Article

Offer Choice Among Readings

When teaching in a content area, consider using several text options that touch on the same topic and allow your... View Article

Invite Students to Self- and Peer-Assess

Students can be taught how to use evaluation criteria to critique, give feedback, and reflect on their own and peer’s... View Article

Make Tasks Active

Use active materials or content to increase engagement and comprehension of the task. Example: When writing a non-fiction article, a... View Article

Use Fill-in-the-Blank Note Taking

Give students an outline with some words missing to help keep students on task and promote comprehension. Example: During a lecture... View Article