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Teaching Grammar in Context Using Authentic Resources

This blog post unpacks the "why" and "how" of using authentic texts to teach grammar to learners, providing a variety of teaching approaches for readers to choose from, as well as real-life examples. Read More

Notice and Wonder about Data: Using Slow Reveal Graphs

Participants in this workout work with slow reveal graphs to notice and wonder about data and experience the activity just as they would present it to students. Read More

Math Practices in the Virtual Classroom

Participants in this workout have the opportunity to experience a task as a student (making origami shapes!), and to reflect on how to use this task with learners to develop a classroom culture (virtual or otherwise) that embeds the math practices. Read More

Building Academic Vocabulary Knowledge with Semantic Maps

Participants in this workout will consider the types of knowledge needed to thoroughly know a word and use semantic maps to build understanding of academic vocabulary. Read More

Finding Academic Vocabulary in a Text

Participants in this workout will analyze vocabulary in a text using 3 different online vocabulary tools, two aligned with the previous and current Academic Word Lists and one aligned with the first 2000 most common written words. Read More

Making Sense of a Standard

Participants in this workout break apart a given standard into meaningful sections, and articulate the relationship between the content of the sections. They then brainstorm strategies, objectives and learning targets for a given standard. Read More

Visible Thinking

Visible Thinking is a flexible and systematic research-based approach to integrating the development of students' thinking with content learning across subject matters. This website provides a convenient way to learn about Visible Thinking as well as thorough descriptions of the ideals, routines and activities that were developed from research in K-12 schools. Read More

Teaching Grammar to Adult English Language Learners: Focus on Form

This brief from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides a research-based rational as to why there is a need to teach grammar within a meaningful context. Teachers who struggle with questions of how much, when, and how to teach grammar will find this brief both informative and thought-provoking. Read More

Teaching Language Through Content: CAL Resource Guides Online

This Resource Guide provides links to publications, websites, teaching resources, and email discussion groups that offer information about teaching language through content-based instruction in K–12 and adult ESL programs and in foreign language programs. Read More

Supporting ELLs in PBL Projects

This article from Edutopia outlines how Project-Based Learning (PBL) is valuable for English Language Learners (ELLs) when it teaches academic vocabulary, encourages collaboration, scaffolds structure and function, allows assessment and differentiation, and leverages their native language. Read More