THOUGHTFUL CLASSROOM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SUITES
A Professional Learning Suite
Tools for Supporting Multilingual Learners and All Students
Tools and strategies for strengthening language learning in every classroom
Featuring a collection of Tier I instructional strategies that are also ideal for engaging multilingual learners, curated by Cheryl Abla, author of “Tools for Classroom Instruction that Works” and a leading expert on student engagement and multilingual learners
Language Development Is Powered by Participation.
Every student learns language by using language. The more opportunities multilingual learners have to talk, collaborate, read, write, and think alongside their peers, the more confident and successful they become.
Yet many multilingual learners spend too much time listening and too little time actively processing, discussing, and applying new learning. While these students bring valuable experiences, perspectives, and strengths to the classroom, they often need intentional opportunities to engage with both content and language in meaningful ways. Without these opportunities, participation decreases, confidence suffers, and academic growth can be limited.
How do we create classrooms where multilingual learners can fully engage in rigorous learning while continuing to develop their language skills? The answer is not lowering expectations or creating a separate learning experience. The answer is implementing instructional practices proven to increase access, encourage participation, and support meaningful interactions with content and peers.
This Tools for Supporting Multilingual Learners and All Students suite is designed to help educators make these important instructional moves with confidence. Learn how small, intentional adjustments to instruction can have a significant impact on student engagement, language development, and academic achievement.
What Tools & Strategies Will I Find In This Suite?
Reaching Multilingual Learners
Read Cheryl Abla’s Take on each tool in this suite for helpful tips and more information about using it with multilingual learners in your classroom.
Tools for Building Visualization and Nonlinguistic Representation
- Visualizing Vocabulary: A technique that helps students master critical vocabulary by asking them to process terms both visually (students find or create images to represent each term) and verbally (students explain why their image is a good representation of the term)
- S-O-S Graphic Organizers: A note-making tool that taps into the natural learning boost that visualization offers and teaches students how to use organizers to clarify the relationships within the content they’re studying
- Split Screen: A note-making tool that empowers students to process and encode new learning using both images and words; the tool uses a two-column notemaking organizer and student sharing to facilitate the dual-coding process
- Mind’s Eye: A reading tool that encourages students to create mental pictures before reading and then use them to read more actively
- Do, Look, Learn: A three-step process that enhances student learning during kinesthetic activities, hands-on experiences, and activities that involve models and manipulatives
Tools for Promoting Student Talk and Collaboration
- Window Notes: A tool that makes the note-making process more engaging by encouraging students to record questions, personal reactions, and interesting connections in addition to facts
- 4-2-1 Summarize: A collaborative note-making and summarizing tool that teaches students how to separate essential information from nonessential information, synthesize their ideas, and summarize their learning in writing
- Interaction in an Instant: A set of pairing and grouping techniques that can be used on the fly to engage students in talking to and learning from their classmates
- Community CIRCLE: A discussion technique that provides a structure for rich and focused conversations in the classroom; its design encourages students to share and compare prior knowledge, experiences, and opinions as they build understanding collaboratively
- Reciprocal Teaching: A tool that teaches students four concrete strategies for improving comprehension: summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting
PLUS:
Practical resources to help teachers and PLCs plan, reflect, and analyze student work.
Click above for an advance organizer of the tools and strategies in this suite.
Your Path to Improvement Starts Here
Check Out a Sample TOOL Tutorial
Check out all of the
Thoughtful Classroom Professional Learning Suites
Tools for Core Content Areas
Tools and Strategies for Active, In-Depth Learning
Best Bets: From Research to Practice
Special Edition: Custom Curated Suites
Powerful Frameworks for Better Teaching and Learning