Collaborative Discussion Stems
When?
Instruction on academic language should be used if students are struggling to use academic discourse in class discussions. Sentence stems can be taught at any time in the year in any content area but should always be posted visually in the classroom and referred back to frequently.
How?
1. Write the sentence stem on the board
2. Use the sentence stem to form a question/comment in a meaningful context
3. Provide explicit instruction: When is it appropriate to use this stem? What is the register of the language?
4. Provide guided practice allowing students to practice using the stem in context
5. During future discussions, encourage students to elevate the register of their spoken language by pointing to the sentence stem on the anchor chart
Materials?
Why?
Formal language for academic discussions needs to be taught explicitly to all learners - including ELs. Ability to hold discussions in an academic register is crucial for intermediate ELs developing cognitive academic language proficiency. Sentence stems provide a scaffold that serves as a visual reminder for students to use academic language in the classroom.
Instruction on academic language should be used if students are struggling to use academic discourse in class discussions. Sentence stems can be taught at any time in the year in any content area but should always be posted visually in the classroom and referred back to frequently.
How?
1. Write the sentence stem on the board
2. Use the sentence stem to form a question/comment in a meaningful context
3. Provide explicit instruction: When is it appropriate to use this stem? What is the register of the language?
4. Provide guided practice allowing students to practice using the stem in context
5. During future discussions, encourage students to elevate the register of their spoken language by pointing to the sentence stem on the anchor chart
Materials?
- Anchor chart
- Markers
Why?
Formal language for academic discussions needs to be taught explicitly to all learners - including ELs. Ability to hold discussions in an academic register is crucial for intermediate ELs developing cognitive academic language proficiency. Sentence stems provide a scaffold that serves as a visual reminder for students to use academic language in the classroom.