Academic Language Functions
Inquiry / Seeking Information Student uses language to: Observe and explore the environment, acquire information
Examples: Uses who, what, where, when, why, and how to gather information Strategies: Quick-write, Think Pair Share, Novel Ideas, 5 W’s and How, Question Creation , Chart (Q-Chart) Cue Words: in other words, that is to say, according to, specifically, who, what, when, where, why, how
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Summarizing and InformingStudent uses language to: Identify, report or describe information
Examples: Recount information presented by teacher or text; retell a story or personal experience Strategies: Writing Frames Cue Words: in short, in summary, to sum up, finally, all in all, in conclusion
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Comparing and ContrastingStudent uses language to: Describe similarities and differences in objects or ideas
Examples: Make/explain a graphic organizer to show similarities and contrasts; Write in bullet or paragraph format to specify similarities / differences; Categorizing to organize terms or ideas; Verbal clarification of similarities or differences through questioning or pairing activities. Strategies: Categories on a wall, Content Curiosities (Survey), Jigsaw Project Cue Words: likewise, however, nevertheless, despite, on the other hand, on the contrary, contrary to…, conversely, rather, still
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Sequencing & OrderingStudent uses language to: sequence objects, ideas, or events.
Examples: Describe / make a timeline, Continuum, Cycle, Narrative sequence Strategies: Mix and match, Categories on a wall, Collaborative Poster Cue Words: at which point, at this time, simultaneously, subsequently
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Inferring, Predicting, and HypothesizingStudent uses language to: make inferences, predict implications, hypothesize.
Examples: Describe reasoning process (inductive or deductive); Generate hypotheses to suggest causes or outcomes; Describe observations using multiple senses Strategies: Guess and check, Scientific method, Seeking patterns, Using visuals and structure of a text to predict topic, Pre-reading strategies Cue Words: guess, conclude that _____, estimate, speculate, draw a conclusion, believe, due to, since, in light of
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AnalyzingStudent uses language to: Separate whole into parts, identify relationships and patterns
Examples: Describe parts, features, or main idea of information Strategies: Analysis Pizza, Collaborative poster, word sorts, sort and label, dissecting, various lab activities Cue Words: examine, scrutinize, break down, dissect, investigate, determine, elements
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Problem Solving Student uses language to: Define and represent a problem; determine a solution
Examples: Describe the problem solving process or procedures; re-state the problem in student's own words Strategies: Collaborative Poster, Sage-Scribe, Mix and Match, Manipulatives, Creating a Mnemonic, Mathematically Speaking, Fold-ables, Pass the Envelope, Gallery Walk, Reciprocal Teaching, Create- Exchange- Access, Quiz-Quiz Trade Cue Words: solve, figure out, think about, find, conflict, difficult question, situation
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Persuading & JustifyingStudent uses language to: Give reasons for an action, decision, point of view; convince others
Examples: Tell why _____ is important and give evidence in support of a position. Strategies: Socratic Seminar, Think-Pair Share, Anticipatory Chart with Round Robin, Rally-Robin Debate, Four Corners with justification, Error Analysis Cue Words: defend, show, rationalize, think, feel, because of, for this reason, due to, right, argue, convince, influence, sway, urge, claim, beliefs, support, evidence, appeal, should, must, ought to, have to, furthermore, moreover, clearly
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SynthesizingStudent uses language to: Combine or integrate ideas to form a whole group
Examples: Summarize information; incorporate new information Strategies: Allow students to create their own problem, Collaborative Poster, Compare- Contrast Matrix, Creating a Mnemonic, Think-Pair-Shares, Writing Summaries, Reports, Mathematically Speaking, Fold-ables, Analysis Pizza, Jigsaw, Pass the Envelope, Create- Exchange- Access, Window Pane Cue Words: combine, merge, form, put together, synthesis, combination
Cause and EffectStudent uses language to: Describe why and how relationships and patterns exist between events, ideas, processes, problems; Identify consequences that led to the outcome
Examples: Make a graphic organizer to define the events leading up to the outcome or the possible outcomes based on a particular cause Strategies: 1) Categories on a Wall/Sort and Label-Categories are provided and students develop list or students develop own categories based on given list; 2) Mix-n-Match cards-Students work in groups to match causes with effects; 3) Foldables; 4) Gallery Walk/Pass the Envelope-A cause or effect is given and students either rotate around the room or pass the problem from group to group to identify possible causes or effects; 5) Trading Cards-One cause or one effect is given on a card to each student. They develop an opposite idea for what they have and walk around the room to share. After sharing they trade cards to share with another. Cue Words: therefore, consequently, thus, as a result of, since, because, in order to, if…then
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Evaluation Student uses language to: assess and verify with of an object, idea or decision.
Examples: Identify criteria, Explain priorities, Indicate reasons for judgment, Confirm truth Strategies: Thumbs up/down, Colored cards, Quick-write Cue Words: Judge, critique, assess, assessment, value, worth, based on, judgment, criteria, favorable, unfavorable, reason, evaluate, evaluation, features
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