Ideas and Activities to Differentiate Instruction

through Comprehensible Input

Content Targets:

I will explore techniques for presenting content information in ways that students comprehend.

I will review various ways to model and provide directions for academic tasks.

Language Targets:

I will discuss modifications to teacher speech that can increase student comprehension.

I will write different methods for making textbooks more accessible for my students

My targets for today…

Main Points Language is most readily acquired when:

Lessons are interesting and relevant Instruction follows natural language patterns Input is provided in sufficient quantity There is appropriate monitoring of errors, since

overcorrection increases student anxiety The message is clear so that the learner can

understand

Speech Appropriate for Students’ Proficiency

Levels

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Language LevelsIt is very important that teachersdetermine the English languageacquisitions levels of their students. Once this is ascertained, teachers can make content comprehensible based on the language needs of each student.

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Cognitive Ability Students at lower levels of English

proficiency are not necessarily functioning at lower levels of cognitive ability. Frequently these students are able to use higher-level thinking skills in their primary language but have a more difficult time understanding the academic content and expressing their knowledge in English.

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Clear Explanation of Academic Tasks

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Written Instructions It is critical that students know what is

expected and that step-by-step instructions are written for students to see and use. Many students disengage or misbehave because they are not certain of what they are expected to do. Many students have difficulty understanding and remembering multiple step instructions, especially when the instructions are only provided orally.

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Clear Explanation In focus group research, middle school

students reported that teachers talked too fast and they couldn’t understand the directions. Lack of clear explanation – due to teachers’ impatience, speaking too fast, or poor instructions – was consistently cited as a problem by English Language Learners.

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A Variety of Techniques Used to make Content

Concepts ClearSIOP 12

Gestures and Body Language

Use gestures, body language, pictures, and objects to accompany speech.

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Modeling

Provide a model of a process, task, or assignment.

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Preview MaterialPreview material for optimal learning.

When students attention is focused on the specific information they will be responsible for learning in the lesson, the students are able to prepare themselves for the information that is coming, making it more comprehensible to them.

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Alternative AssessmentsAllow alternative forms for

expressing their understanding of information and concepts. Students have often learned the lesson’s information but have difficulty expressing their understanding .

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Technology

Use multimedia and other

technology in the lessons. SIOP 12

Repeated Exposure to Words

Provide repeated exposure to words, concepts and skills

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Sentence Strips

Use sentence strips – good for all grade levels and all

subjects. SIOP 12

Graphic Organizers

Use graphic organizers effectively.

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Audio

Audio both in English and in the first language if it is

available. SIOP 12

Your Ticket OutWhat can you do today to make

input more comprehensible for all of your students.

Give me two things for today and two things for tomorrow.

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