Academic Strategies for Language Learners
Course Synopsis: This course is designed to familiarize and extend a student’s abilities to use various strategies Independent Schoolly to meet the Learning Standards and Big Ideas, concurrently being successful in content-based courses such as English Language Arts, Social Studies and Science. Emphasis will be on the comprehension of important concepts, linking current information to prior knowledge and the application of strategies and skills learned. Students will become familiar with a variety of l
Goals and Rationale: All students, regardless of their language and cultural background, will have the opportunity to develop their academic potential to the fullest extent. This course will provide students with the necessary background skills, vocabulary and learning strategies to ensure success in grade level subjects. The skills taught cover a wide range to enable students to meet cross-curricular language needs. As research indicates, academic language acquisition takes longer than basic in
BIG IDEAS A belief in one’s abilities enables growth. Language is expressed differently based on cultural contexts. Language is a social construct that must be explicitly taught. Effective communication comes from an awareness of language. Learning strategies provide greater access to academic success.
Recommended Instructional Components: The following are possible areas of focus within Academic Strategies for Language Learners 10: ● analyzing features of procedural, report, explanation, argument and response texts using genre features overviews ● using genre overviews as maps to find information in texts when reading ● reading a variety of model texts for genre features and information ● examining various historical events using the Big 6 ● planning, drafting, and editing processes ● writing