1. By Ernesto Villarreal for the CoP Committee of Hollywood High School
Review of Common Core for the Not-So-Common Learner, By Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria G. Dove
By Ernesto Villarreal for the CoP Committee of Hollywood High School

2. Strategies for Academic Language Development
“What is it that differentiates students who make it from those who do not? This list is long, but very prominent among the factors is mastery of academic language.”
Lily Wong Fillmore
According to Honigsfeld and Dove, “Academic language skills are critical for student success in the content areas.

3. Strategies for Academic Language Development
Quoting O’hara, Zwiers, and Pritchard, the authors of Common Core for the Not-So- Common Learner state that, “explicit attention to academic language instruction, coupled with extended opportunities for students to hear and use academic language, is needed in classrooms with English learners and other students who struggle to understand and use the language of school.”

4. Strategies for Academic Language Development
In teaching Academic Language the following should be noted:
Discipline-Specific vocabulary
Phrases and idiomatic expressions associated with the target academic content
Typical sentence structures used in the lessons
Grammatical constructs used in academic text
Text-level features, such as organization and voice
For specific examples, refer to page 16 and 17.

5. Strategies for Academic Language Development
Levels and Key Features of Academic Language
Level
Key Academic Language Features
Word/Phrase
General academic words and phrases
Content-specific words and phrases
Collocations, figurative expressions, and multiple-meaning terms
Roots and affixes
Syntax
Sentence types
Sentence structure
Transitions/connectives
Verb tenses
Active versus passive voice
Pronouns and references
Text/Discourse
Organization and text structure
Voice and register
Density
Clarity and coherence

6. Strategies for Academic Language Development
Grammar Lesson Planning Checklist
A simple explanation of the grammar point at issue?
Students’ immersion in correct models of grammar?
A demonstration of the particular pattern in a piece of writing (model texts)?
Multiple meaningful activities for better understanding of the grammar point?
Examples posted in the classroom/posted online/incorporated in handouts and other resources?
Ample student practice to apply new grammar knowledge?
Time for students to edit their own writing?
Click here for a printable copy of the list

7. Strategies for Academic Language Development
List of strategies for this topic:
Sentence Dissection
Hands-On Work with Words Using Reference Materials and Mentor Texts
Integrate Multiple Language Skills Meaningfully and Intentionally
Read it, Speak it, Write it.
Text Analysis
Theme Reading, Theme Listening Across Genres
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Use Visual and Contextual Support
Picture It.
Student-Friendly Definitions and Concept Maps
Look Inside and Outside of the Word

8. Strategies for Academic Language Development
Strategy Highlight
Student Friendly Definitions and Concept Maps.
The authors explain that students often do not understand dictionary definitions since the definitions often use words that the students do not understand.
Allow students to engage with student friendly definitions.
Monitored group activities centered on the discussion of vocabulary words.
Allow students to develop items like the “Fourfold Vocabulary Template”
Actively preview vocabulary words that foster understanding of the content.
Sentence Builders
Activities that allow students to collaborate to build sentences that relate to content.