Anchor Charts (link to a how-to guide with samples)
An anchor chart is an artifact of classroom learning. Like an anchor, it holds students' and teachers' thoughts, ideas and processes in place. Anchor charts can be displayed as reminders of prior learning and built upon over multiple lessons.
Explicitly teaching words supports language development, but using the word in context allows for a deeper level of understanding. English language learners benefit from the discussion that takes place among classmates to come to consensus the meaning of a new word meaning during the pre-reading oral presentation of the anchor chart. Verbalizing thoughts (as well as listening to others’ view points) provides a context for understanding new vocabulary.
Previewing focuses students’ attention on specific information they will be responsible for learning, so all students can approach the text with the same foundational knowledge. This type of explicit instruction aims to narrow the achievement gap directly associated with vocabulary knowledge, development and access.
Total Physical Response (TPR)
a method in language teaching that links speech to actions, mimicking first language acquisition
Video: Elementary Classroom TPR Example
Video: Secondary Classroom TPR Example