CSforEL Strategies

Lesson Planning Algorithm

Pair Share Structures

Pair share structures are specific protocols to support student interaction in a lesson. They provide opportunities for teachers to “listen in” to gauge student understanding and respond instructionally.

Sentence Frames

Sentence frames are the language patterns students need to communicate their ideas. Since the academic language is embedded in a sentence, it is more clear how the language is meant to be used. When students use sentence frames, they get practice in using and applying academic language for a specific purpose.

Prompt Deconstruction

Prompt deconstruction helps students break down a prompt to understand the complex academic (computer science) language and what it is asking. This is often done through chunking, annotating, and highlighting, all while students engage in pair-share structures.

Teacher Modeling with Gradual Release

The teacher explicitly models discipline-specific behaviors (i.e., what programmers do and how they do it), often by doing the first few steps or a similar example. The teacher then gradually transitions responsibility to students, with guided practice occurring before independent practice.

Coded Commentary

Coded Commentary is a CS-specific variation on sentence frames to support code design and code writing activities either individually or groups. Given sentence frames specific to coding concepts appropriate to the program, have students use these sentence frames as comments in an IDE to plan their program before beginning to write code.

Byte, Write, Unite

A CS-themed trio of strategies:

BYTE uses chunking and setting the purpose for text reading or video listening.
WRITE uses sentence frames or another graphic organizer to have students summarize the previous byte.
UNITE uses sentence frames and pair share structures to have students share their understanding.

Background Overview

A (visual) preview of key vocabulary and concepts needed to understand the upcoming lesson. The preview does not replace the learning experience in the lesson. It supports the vocabulary and understanding needed to engage with the lesson effectively. It both accesses and builds on students’ background knowledge.