From Words to Wisdom: Supporting Academic Language Use in PreK-3rd Grade

This practical guide provides teachers with instructional materials, sample dialogs, and assessment tools to facilitate academic language use in PreK–3 classrooms, emphasizing the appreciation and leverage of linguistic diversity. Strategies are provided to adapt language for various academic purposes, and the text includes discussion questions, reproducible activities, planning materials, assessment tools, and handouts for smooth implementation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 08 October 2021
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

This practical guide is designed to assist teachers in introducing academic language to young children, with a particular focus on appreciating and leveraging linguistic diversity. As new educational standards require students to master content-area concepts and increasingly complex texts at earlier grades, educators are faced with the challenge of equipping their students with the necessary language skills to succeed. This practitioner-friendly text offers instructional materials, sample dialogues, and assessment tools to facilitate academic language use in PreK–3 classrooms. The authors delve into the word, sentence, and discourse levels of academic language, while encouraging teachers and students to consider purpose, participants, discipline, and context. Strategies are provided to help readers adapt language for a variety of academic purposes across mathematics, science, play, mealtimes, and ELA instruction.

The text includes discussion questions, reproducible activities, planning materials, assessment tools, and handouts to facilitate seamless implementation into classroom practice. By expanding teachers' understanding of academic language beyond vocabulary to include syntax and discourse-level features, this book empowers educators to build bridges to academic success for all young learners. It provides specific strategies, activities, and suggestions for teaching from and with academic language across multiple settings and disciplines, ensuring that all students, including multilingual and linguistically diverse speakers, can thrive.

In conclusion, From Words to Wisdom is a valuable resource for teachers seeking to enhance their students' language abilities and promote academic success. With its comprehensive coverage of academic language, practical strategies, and user-friendly features, this book is an essential tool for educators looking to create inclusive and effective learning environments.

Weight: 252g
Dimension: 205 x 361 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807765876