San Lorenzo Unified School District

6 District-Wide EL Strategies

Think/Pair/Share OR Table Talk:
Preset/Process information
Preview/Survey:
Look over material with students noting pictures, bold face headings and key vocabulary, K-W-L chart.
Differentiated questions: See District Chart
Vocabulary frontload:
Choose key vocabulary. Go over meaning and give context examples:
Pronounce the word and give students many opportunities to pronounce the word.
Explain the word by giving a clear explanation and a synonym whenever possible
Provide examples — two or more, combination of both written and spoken, from a variety of contexts
Deepen understanding of the words by giving students opportunities to generate their own examples and visual representations (vocabulary cards)
Review and assess regularly — both formally (minimum: end of each quarter) and informally (throughout daily lessons)
Sentence frames:
Post model sentences for students to engage in structured discussion. Example: My favorite tide pool animal is the ______ because it is ________. The teacher asks the question, "Which tide pool animal is your favorite."
Graphic Organizer/Visuals:
Example: K-W-L, T chart (Cornell Notes), Bubble Chart, Web chart, ELMO using book graphics consistently.

Skill Area Proficiency Level Descriptors:
Grades K2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12

San Lorenzo Unified School District
15510 Usher Street
San Lorenzo, CA 94580
Phone: 510.317.4600