Constructing Meaning

Constructing Meaning provides teachers with the process and tools for weaving explicit language instruction into content area teaching. Lesson planning is driven by the content and academic language demands of discipline-specific learning. Based on backward design and a gradual release of responsibility model, the Constructing Meaning process prompts teachers to:

• understand the role language plays in content learning

• decide what language knowledge students need to access content and express understanding provide appropriate, explicit oral and written language instruction and practice

The work of the Common Core and other content standards assume native English proficiency. Constructing Meaning offers an accelerated approach to instruction that emphasizes both academic English and critical literacy skills, thereby supporting English learners in acquiring the analytical language necessary to meet the demands of the Common Core. As students move through their academic careers, they must continually build their content knowledge and academic language foundation to be prepared to meet the increasing demands of each grade level.

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