Academic Language in Diverse Classrooms: Mathematics, Grades 6–8: Promoting Content and Language Learning

“The importance of academic vocabulary is often overlooked, or educators assume that students have a solid understanding of it. This series neatly explains why it is vital and demonstrates how it is possible to focus on vocabulary instruction doesn’t take away from the conceptual lesson but actually enhances it.” (Julie Duford, Teacher 2013-01-07)

“In a time of growing English Language Learners in our classrooms, teachers need to be able to apply appropriate help for students as they learn the vocabulary necessary to increase academic vocabulary and concepts. This series offers teachers a practical support, complete with abundant rubrics and detailed plans for teaching math vocabulary that can only help teachers and their students!”

(Renee Peoples, Teacher 2013-01-07)

“With the many visuals, charts, activity suggestions, and examples of student-teacher conversations this series is a real-world resource for teachers.” (Deb Bible, Literacy/Math Interventionist 2013-01-07)

“Academic Language in Diverse Classrooms is an invaluable resource for all K through 8th grade teachers, especially those working with diverse students. This book gives teachers both a clear explanation of academic language and specific strategies they can apply in their own classrooms. Throughout the book, contributors provide specific connections between the Common Core State Standards and Language Development Standards. Each chapter helps educators understand students’ academic language needs and, through a variety of classroom examples from each grade level, shows teachers how to teach academic language through content.“ (Yvonne Freeman, Professor of Bilingual Education)

“These volumes are packed with practical ideas that will help all teachers attend to language within their classrooms from the discourse level to word/phrase levels. This is a road map for teaching Common Core content in language rich classrooms, and hence a resource every teacher needs within arms reach! It’s all here and clearly presented; this is pure gold for everyone who teaches students to speak, listen, read and write in school, with special attention to English language learners. “ (Tim Boals, Executive Director)

While most educational researchers and practitioners agree that that mastery of academic language is the key to students' academic success, many teachers are not well-versed in its major components and would benefit by learning how to integrate these components into curriculum and instructional assessment. The construct of academic language is of increasing importance to educators as the Common Core State Standards, the new national anchor for curriculum, instruction, and assessment, have set a high bar of rigorous and challenging content, especially for ELs and SELs. This title -- one of a seven book series -- will offer guidance to educators in how to target academic language in planning for student learning as states undergo the implementation of the Common Core and corresponding English language proficiency standards in preparation for the upcoming consortia-led assessments.