the calla handbook – chapter 2 the content-based curriculum in calla dr. ellen de kanter...
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The CALLA Handbook – Chapter 2
The Content-Based Curriculum in CALLA
Dr. Ellen de Kanter
University of St. Thomas
Instructional Strategies for the Content Area in ESL
BIED 5336
Why Teach Content?
Knowledge Base Subject-area concepts and relationships provide a foundation for
learning grade-level information in important subjects.
Procedures Students can practice skills and processes needed in the content
area.
Motivation Content is more motivating than language alone.
Learning Strategies Content provides a context for learning and applying learning
strategies.
How to Select Content
Content Teachers Ask content teachers to help select high priority topics and skills for the
grade level.
Curriculum Study curriculum frameworks to see how topics selected are sequenced and
reentered over several grades.
Textbooks Read my schools adopted textbooks for different subjects—for this grade
level plus lower and higher grades.
Curriculum Analysis Identify major components for each content topic.
Student Interests Allow students to select some content topics for in-depth study.
How to Teach Content
Activities Provide hands-on and cooperative experiences.
Prior Knowledge Start by linking the lesson topic to student prior knowledge.
Technical Vocabulary Teach and have students use technical vocabulary appropriate to
the content subject.
Learning Styles Address different student learning styles: use visual, auditory, and
kinesthetic means.
How to Teach Content
Overviews Follow a general overview of the lesson or unit with new
information in chunks; include active practice.
Questioning Show students how to ask and answer high-level questions about
content.
Teacher Monitoring Monitor students comprehension on an on-going basis.
Student Monitoring Teach students how to “know when they don’t know”—and what
action to take.
How to Teach Content
Graphic organizers Show students how to use graphic organizers to identify prior
knowledge, prepare study guides, and restructure prior knowledge.
Resources Provide books, articles, and other resources on content topics;
teach students how to use them.
Learning Strategies Provide explicit instruction on learning strategies for
understanding, remembering, and using content.
The CALLA Handbook – Chapter 2
The Content-Based Curriculum in CALLA
Dr. Ellen de Kanter
University of St. Thomas
Instructional Strategies for the Content Area in ESL
BIED 5336