Synopses & Reviews
National media campaign, workshops, and an excerpt in Langauge Magazine.
Review
"The strength of this book is its consistent message that with the appropriate instruction, all students can learn, no matter what their challenges are."
--Nancy Snodgrass, Bilingual Special Education Resource Teacher
Review
"I can see this guidebook as a resource that teachers read, highlight, take notes in the margins, reread, and keep near their desk for use."
--Elizabeth Hughes, Assistant Professor, Duquesne University
Review
"The strategies in this book -- particularly those that address teaching and using academic language -- address a huge need for both general education and special education teachers."
--Dee Torrington, Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Trainer for Special Education, and President-Elect of California Association for Special Educators
Synopsis
This guidebook offers powerful, concrete ways to engage all middle and high school students -- especially English learners and students with other special needs -- in successful learning.
Teachers will benefit from the practical, evidence-based approaches for teaching standards-based content in any subject area.
School and district leaders will benefit from the sustainable schoolwide and districtwide practices that respect diversity and support inclusion. Authors John Carr and Sharen Bertrando provide invaluable insight, tools, and strategies, including:
- An effective framework for teaching diverse learners in any core discipline
- Specific steps and resources for helping students organize concepts, develop appropriate use of academic language, and communicate ideas effectively
- Rubrics identifying key characteristics of five English language proficiency levels, along with teaching strategies appropriate for each
- Methods for scaffolding assessments to ensure every student has a fair and accurate way to communicate what he or she is learning
- A lesson plan template for combining and putting into practice all of the ideas, approaches, and tools included in this guidebook
About the Author
JOHN W. CARR develops resources, conducts workshops, and evaluates educational programs. He developed WestEd's bestselling Map of Standards for English Learners and conducts supportive workshops that assist teachers in implementing standards-based instruction for English learners. He coauthored a WestEd best-seller series of guidebooks -- Making Science Accessible to English Learners: A Guidebook for Teachers (2007) and Making Mathematics Accessible to English Learners: A Guidebook for Teachers (2009). This guidebook is the third in the series, extending the approach to students with learning difficulties. He conducts professional development on standards-based instruction for English learners and students in inclusive classrooms.
He has conducted a variety of instructional program evaluations regarding refugee students, English learners, and students with special needs. His current interest is in research-based instructional practices for students with learning difficulties in academic classes and the evaluation of special education programs. John has a PhD in measurement, evaluation, and research methodology from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked in the research and evaluation departments of two large school districts for 13 years and conducted workshops on school improvement. John is currently a Senior Research Associate in the Evaluation Research Program at WestEd.
SHAREN BERTRANDO develops materials and provides training, resources, and technical assistance for projects such as the Least Restrictive Environment Resources Project, Po'okela Project Centers of Educational Excellence on Inclusive Practices and Access to the Common Core, and the Windward District Achievement4All Restructuring Project. In addition, she provides technical assistance and training to support diverse learners using technology as an effective instructional tool. She works with the California Comprehensive Center and the California Department of Education to develop educational resources to support students with disabilities, including second language learners with disabilities.
Sharen is currently a member of the California Autism Training Team with the National Professional Development Center - ASD and the California Community of Practice Secondary Transition Leadership Team. Sharen has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and program coordinator in California and Oregon. She has a diverse educational background and professional experience educating students, from preschoolers to adolescents.
Sharen's current position is as a Special Education Resource Development Specialist in WestEd's Center for Prevention and Early Intervention.
Table of Contents
AcknowledgmentsIntroduction
Chapter 1: A Framework for Planning and Teaching Effective Lessons
Chapter 2: Getting to Know Students with Learning Difficulties
Chapter 3: Getting to Know English Learners
Chapter 4: Teaching and Using Academic Language
Chapter 5: Six Strategies for Scaffolding Content Learning
Chapter 6: Strategies for Scaffolding Classroom Assessments
Chapter 7: Putting It All Together
References
Appendix A: Research Supporting the Six Scaffolding Strategies
Appendix B: Common Core English Language Arts Standards on Comprehension and Collaboration
Index
About the Authors
Figures