Essential Shifts for Multilingual Learners' Success
Your guide to culturally and linguistically sustaining practices in your dual language classroom and school. It's time to set the record straight: Multilingualism is a tremendous asset that must be nurtured and valued and the most effective pathway to multilingualism is dual language education. Despite significant evidence attesting to the cognitive, social/emotional, and economic benefits of multilingualism, the majority of our classrooms and schools are monolingual. Encouragingly, recent shifts in state policies have increased the demand for dual language programming in our schools. This increased momentum brings new challenges, including the need for more bilingually authorized teachers, high-quality instructional resources, and accurate assessment and accountability in the target languages of instruction. With contributions from ten experts in multilingual education, Breaking Down the Monolingual Wall outlines the systemic and pedagogical approaches necessary for successful multilingual and dual language programs. The book supports educators to: Shift the paradigm from one that is subtractive and deficit-based to one that is additive and assets-based Embed culturally and linguistically sustaining practices in their instruction Understand how to promote multilingualism in the context of teaching academic content Develop assessments as, for, and of learning in multiple languages. Lead high-quality dual language schools and programs Recruit and retain highly qualified bilingual educators Offering a comprehensive overview of bilingual policies and historical context all educators should understand, Breaking Down the Monolingual Wall is an invaluable guide to creating dual language learning environments that build on the precious assets of our multilingual students and families.
Weave culturally responsive teaching into every lesson and activity Culturally responsive teaching practices are like bright ribbons: when you weave them into everything you teach, you create a beautiful tapestry for successful learning. Lotus Howard, who has spent four decades teaching in diverse classrooms, will show you how to build relationships with your students and create a harmonious community where every child can thrive. You'll learn: How to use culturally responsive teaching (CRT) not as an add-on, but as a philosophy that infuses every aspect of the school day Simple strategies for weaving the seven principles of CRT into all lessons and activities, including morning greetings, transition times, and group work How to be more self-reflective to better appreciate and unlock students' unique gifts With an array of practical tips, model lessons, and resources, this book will inspire you to weave a holistic tapestry of teaching and learning that benefits all children.
"Concha Delgado Gaitan has provided a wonderful resource to all educators. The topics used to structure the chapters provide the reader with an orderly consideration of the school as a cultural entity itself. Most important, each chapter provides the reader with clear theoretical applications in a hands-on manner that is meaningful and easy to use." --Randall B. Lindsey, Professor Emeritus, California State University, Los Angeles Principal Associate, The Robins Group "Concha Delgado Gaitan brings a wealth of personal experience and years of research to Building Culturally Responsive Classrooms. It is thought provoking and challenges us to get to know and understand how culture affects students in order to foster the best working and learning environment." --Judy M. Alva, Elementary Vice Principal Lodi Unified School District, CA Allow your classroom setting and instruction to reflect the rich diversity and values of your students! Teachers today are faced with the enormous responsibility of respecting students' various cultures while creating learning settings that challenge them academically. Concha Delgado Gaitan shows how teachers honoring real culture can transform the context and content within their classroom and become culturally responsive to all their students. This invaluable resource covers the topics of classroom discipline, classroom arrangement, and parent and community involvement in order to create a culturally inclusive learning setting. In addition, Gaitan explains how teachers can use instructional strategies that are culturally responsive to teach literacy, mathematics, science, and more. Each accessible, user-friendly chapter contains: A personal reflection from a teacher The latest research and best practices A rich case example Guiding questions, reflective questions, and classroom applications Based on the author's firsthand research, this handbook is ideal for individual teachers, mentoring pairs, and study groups.
"Concha Delgado Gaitan has provided a wonderful resource to all educators. The topics used to structure the chapters provide the reader with an orderly consideration of the school as a cultural entity itself. Most important, each chapter provides the reader with clear theoretical applications in a hands-on manner that is meaningful and easy to use." --Randall B. Lindsey, Professor Emeritus, California State University, Los Angeles Principal Associate, The Robins Group "Concha Delgado Gaitan brings a wealth of personal experience and years of research to Building Culturally Responsive Classrooms. It is thought provoking and challenges us to get to know and understand how culture affects students in order to foster the best working and learning environment." --Judy M. Alva, Elementary Vice Principal Lodi Unified School District, CA Allow your classroom setting and instruction to reflect the rich diversity and values of your students! Teachers today are faced with the enormous responsibility of respecting students' various cultures while creating learning settings that challenge them academically. Concha Delgado Gaitan shows how teachers honoring real culture can transform the context and content within their classroom and become culturally responsive to all their students. This invaluable resource covers the topics of classroom discipline, classroom arrangement, and parent and community involvement in order to create a culturally inclusive learning setting. In addition, Gaitan explains how teachers can use instructional strategies that are culturally responsive to teach literacy, mathematics, science, and more. Each accessible, user-friendly chapter contains: A personal reflection from a teacher The latest research and best practices A rich case example Guiding questions, reflective questions, and classroom applications Based on the author's firsthand research, this handbook is ideal for individual teachers, mentoring pairs, and study groups.
When EL-specialists and general educators work in partnership, rather than in separate silos (the traditional approach to educating ELs), the likelihood of promoting both language development and content mastery increases exponentially. Although this premise may seem like common sense, implementing this approach typically requires high-quality professional development, opportunities for sustained practice, and leadership support across schools and districts.
Transforming Programs for Multilingualism and Equity
This practical guide features a dual-language adaptation of a widely used, evidence-based framework, seven proven co-teaching models, and tools for collaborative curriculum alignment and implementation.
The strategies you need to teach common standards to diverse learners The elementary years are a critical opportunity to help students of all backgrounds meet the demands of the Common Core Standards. In this realistic, thorough book, Maria Dove and Andrea Honigsfield show how to help every K-5 student, including English Learners, students with disabilities, speakers of nonstandard English, and other struggling learners, meet the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts (ELA). Educators will find an adaptable approach that ensures all students develop lasting language skills. This resource * Familiarizes readers with each of the Common Core's 32 ELA anchor standards* Outlines the specific skills that students need to master each standard* Presents a wealth of flexible teaching strategies and instructional tools aligned to each anchor standard * Includes guidance on collaboration and co-teaching for student success Common Core for the Not-So-Common Learner is the standards-based ELA resource that elementary teachers have been waiting for! "Each anchor standard in all five domains is fully explained with practical, engaging activities that can add fun and learning to any classroom. Readers will feel supported and energized for the challenges ahead, with a toolkit for meeting the needs of all learners." -Elizabeth Gennosa, English/AIS Teacher Sagamore Middle School, Holtsville, NY "Here's a resource that will make your teaching life easier and support those learners in your classroom who worry you the most." -Dolores Hennessy, Reading Specialist Hill and Plain School, New Milford, CT
For English Learners and other struggling students, understanding and using academic language is absolutely critical to literacy development and school achievement, but it takes careful planning to help these students develop mastery. Ruth Swinney and Patricia Velasco's teacher-friendly guide explains how to weave together content and language goals when planning lesson units, as well as offering strategies for moving students from social to academic language and creating a curriculum of talk in the classroom. In addition, Swinney and Velasco provide detailed sample unit plans in all content areas to demonstrate how these strategies can be employed while simultaneously meeting curriculum demands. Using specific structures of balanced literacy including read along, shared reading, and shared writing, these unit plans also include a self-assessment guide for teachers to use as they scaffold the content to increase comprehension and student achievement
New edition of a guide that shows educators how to make cooperative learning strategies work in their classrooms. Discusses not only the educational benefits of cooperative learning but also the positive effects it has on social skills.
A Guide to Collaborative Planning, Instruction, Assessment, and Reflecti
This books offers more explicit approaches to implementing co-teaching at the classroom level. It provides in-depth explanations of the various models of co-teaching, including the advantages and challenges of each configuration and clear accounts of each teacher's role and responsibilities.
This unique collaboration between a veteran educator and a psychotherapist shows that the educators who are most effective in teaching diverse student populations are the ones who can "see students clearly and respond to their needs without hesitation or bias." Framed around an original, eight-stage model of diversity development, this book provides readers with essential tools for building a sturdy foundation of mutual respect upon which schools without bias can be constructed. Included are specific strategies for creating a school environment that Gives voice and consideration to all students Shows interest, empathy, and respect for all staff members Advocates respect and reverence of individuality Adapts innovative policies-despite resistance-that best serve the total school community In addition to vignettes, anecdotes, and case examples, the authors provide worksheets for problem-solving, conflict resolution, clear communication, rules of engagement, reflection, and scenario study. This book will help educators boost student achievement by giving them how-to strategies that work across content areas to create a culturally considerate classroom and school climate that supports student success and reinforces the strength of individual teachers, administrators, and auxiliary personnel.
"Recognizing the importance of race, class, gender, culture, and ability, the authors provide a window into the difficulties that professional educators grapple with as they face the challenge of teaching all children. This text is both authentic and practical, and it demystifies the issues of equity that pervade today's classrooms." -Diane Yendol-Hoppey, Associate Professor University of Florida, Gainsville "Action research of this caliber on the subject of equity is critically needed for all children to have access to the same level of rigor and high standards. This is a must-read for districts that really want to turn action research into action that affects student learning." -Terry Morganti-Fisher, Director of Professional Development Austin Independent School District, TX Utilize the power of action research to narrow the achievement gap! Despite the best intentions of reform efforts, educational inequity continues to exist in public schools. Creating Equitable Classrooms Through Action Research confronts this challenge head-on and shows educators how they can use action research to both raise student achievement and strengthen instructional leadership. Ideal for both a first-time action research endeavor or one already in progress, this practical guidebook helps practitioners formulate specific research questions, collect and analyze data, and communicate their findings. Educators will discover: Ten action research studies on narrowing the achievement gap Guidelines for implementing an action research project that supports culturally relevant instruction Authentic examples for discussion and reflection Invaluable for school district leaders, teachers, professional development schools, and preservice teachers, this resource for systemwide improvement efforts helps schools provide more equitable learning environments for all children.
Creating Equitable Classrooms Through Action Research looks at the issue of educational equity and illustrates how action research can be used schoolwide or districtwide to address this challenge. The editors have been involved in a highly successful and much studied action research that is used districtwide with a focus on the particular demographics and challenges of their district. The results of the action research study have created a deep knowledge base and capacity. The text provides an overview of the key conceptual and structural features for implementing a schoolwide or districtwide action research program and includes ten studies on narrowing the achievement gap between racial and ethnic groups. The findings of the action research study are connected to the broader body of knowledge on equity in schools. The action research studies illustrate varied approaches to help educators planning an action research project or currently working on an action research project. Real stories and studies from classroom teachers serve as examples of authentic professional development and as springboards for discussion and reflection on the process of inquiry and the issues of equity. The book includes: - 10 action research studies that focus on equity, race, and the achievement gap - how to implement a school-wide or district wide action research program that will promote equity and help close the achievement gap This is an ideal resource for school district leaders, teachers, and preservice teachers, and is also suited for professional development schools.
Confronting Inequities Through Collaborative Curiosity
'Cultural proficiency challenges learning communities to go even deeper when inquiring about student barriers to success. This perspective is necessary to truly address the achievement and expectation gaps in our schools. Before we ask ourselves why our students are not succeeding, we must understand and examine our own perceptions and assumptions about them'-Timothy A. Bias, Administrator, Pomona Unified School District, CA Close the achievement gap with equity-focused professional learning communities! Professional learning communities (PLCs) can be a powerful force for creating equitable, inclusive schools where all students succeed. Integrating the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency with the PLC framework, this relevant guide offers school leaders, district administrators, and staff developers a collaborative approach to address bias and inequity. Culturally Proficient Learning Communities discusses the impact of our history on cultural understanding and provides a wealth of practical PLC-building strategies-including assessment and inquiry-driven planning, instructional design, curriculum development, coaching, leadership, and shared decision making. The authors examine the goals, purpose, and process of creating and sustaining equity-focused PLCs through: - Templates, protocols, activities, and rubrics for deconstructing inequity in student achievement - Stories, tools, and thinking prompts to guide an inside-out transformation toward cultural proficiency - An extended example of one school district's journey in becoming a culturally proficient learning community Schools that view diversity and differences as assets and opportunities will experience stronger holistic growth and increased academic achievement!
Confronting Inequities Through Collaborative Curiosity
"Cultural proficiency challenges learning communities to go even deeper when inquiring about student barriers to success. This perspective is necessary to truly address the achievement and expectation gaps in our schools. Before we ask ourselves why our students are not succeeding, we must understand and examine our own perceptions and assumptions about them." -Timothy A. Bias, Administrator Pomona Unified School District, CA Close the achievement gap with equity-focused professional learning communities! Professional learning communities (PLCs) can be a powerful force for creating equitable, inclusive schools where all students succeed. Integrating the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency with the PLC framework, this relevant guide offers school leaders, district administrators, and staff developers a collaborative approach to address bias and inequity. Culturally Proficient Learning Communities discusses the impact of our history on cultural understanding and provides a wealth of practical PLC-building strategies-including assessment and inquiry-driven planning, instructional design, curriculum development, coaching, leadership, and shared decision making. The authors examine the goals, purpose, and process of creating and sustaining equity-focused PLCs through: Templates, protocols, activities, and rubrics for deconstructing inequity in student achievement Stories, tools, and thinking prompts to guide an inside-out transformation toward cultural proficiency An extended example of one school district's journey in becoming a culturally proficient learning community Schools that view diversity and differences as assets and opportunities will experience stronger holistic growth and increased academic achievement!
Help your English learning students achieve academic success! U.S. demographics are quickly shifting, and it is more important than ever to reach and teach English learning students. Designed to empower educators to become agents of change in their classrooms, schools, and communities, this guide introduces the principles of Cultural Proficiency and how they can help improve educators' ability to effectively teach English language learners. This book features: Activities that build core Cultural Proficiency skills and promote personal transformation A chapter-by-chapter rubric for working effectively with English learning students A conversation-starting case story featuring the River View School District Strategies for using action research to improve the success of English learning students By focusing on Cultural Proficiency-and the underlying causes of EL achievement gaps-educators can uncover ways to break down academic barriers and use students' cultural background as educational assets.
!Atencion! Recognize the strengths of Spanish-speaking students! With the growing population of Hispanic students, it's more important than ever to persevere beyond the language barrier and nurture their gifts and talents. This book provides teachers and leaders with the skills needed to uncover each child's abilities and ultimately boost achievement for gifted Spanish-speaking students. Packed with strategies, suggestions, and materials teachers can use immediately to enhance instruction and assessment, this book shows how to: Recognize students' unique strengths Identify and develop the gifts of bilingualism and different cultures Create challenging learning experiences for every student in the class Adapt tools and strategies to meet each learner's unique needs Connect with parents and the greater Spanish-speaking community Included are testimonials from teachers and students; examples of communications with and from parents; selected poems from gifted students; and inspirational stories from adults who overcame language challenges to earn college degrees and achieve successful careers. Too often, Spanish-speaking students are overlooked, miscast into special education, or not recognized for their abilities. This book shows you how to uncover the creativity in each one of your students.
