ACTION 1.3
Use oral language as foundation
We used to think...
Focusing on English Language Development at school meant English only, and therefore, home languages were rarely leveraged and often discouraged in educational settings in favor of the attainment of English
Now we know...
Joyful and engaging classroom instruction that provides opportunities to talk (discuss, question, respond, and play with language), think critically and metalinguistically, and engage deeply with academic content is one of the foundations of learning literacy.
Best Practice Strategies
To cultivate a supportive multi-language learning environment:
Teachers
Include instructional opportunities for academic discourse and oral language development.
Build oral language development and literacy through various interactive, social, and play-based activities and songs and chants
Students
Develop English oral language skills as the critical starting point for literacy development in English.
Resources
A Neglected Strand of the Reading Rope is Verbal Reasoning
Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Diane Lapp/Corwin Connect
This article provides two strategies to teach students verbal reasoning.
The K-3 Guide to Academic Conversations Practices, Scaffolds, and Activities
Sage Publications
This website provides charts, activities and videos that align with strategies outlined for developing academic discussions in Jeff Zwiers and Sara Hamerla's book.
Oracy Development
Teaching for Biliteracy
This video provides an opportunity to observe the bridge in action as a teacher models a reader's theatre lesson.
Close Reading with Emerging Readers
San Bernadino City Unified School District
Teacher models Close Reading in her first and second grade combo classroom as a way to gain a deeper understanding of informational text with emerging/beginning readers.
Tips for Interactive Read Aloud
Multilingual Learning Toolkit
Tips for Interactive Read Aloud with Children for both teachers and caregivers.
Dramatic Play and Researcher Centers
Multilingual Toolkit
Intentional Questions in center/interest/play areas that support oral language development and critical thinking skills.
Songs & Chants – Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL)
Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL) Strategies
This resource demonstrates strategies for setting up a classroom environment. Teachers can use this resource to learn about environmental supports that include materials, classroom organization, representations on the walls and throughout the classroom, the daily schedule, and all the ways that your environment promotes an atmosphere of inclusiveness and supports learning in ALL languages.