Language Objectives Provide Clear Road Map

Ms. Clinton provides individualized instruction to 7th grade math students.



As part of the SIOP model for English Language Development, all middle school teachers are expected to post not only the California content standards that are driving their instruction, but specific language objectives as well. These language objectives are discrete skills related to language but also embedded within the various content areas. They are intended to guide students before, during, and after the lesson so that all students know what they are expected to learn.

According to Ms. Krueger (ELD Coordinator for AEA elementary and middle school programs), "In order to meet the needs of all students, differentiated instruction is necessary. The SIOP model serves as a guide for developing differentiated lessons. Differentiated instruction involves all students working towards the same objective, yet in different ways. The SIOP model also incorporates Language Objectives. Teachers must maintain high, yet reasonable expectations for student output based on the lesson content and language objectives. Clearly written and stated objectives are needed to provide a road map for both the students and the teacher. Guiding the teaching and the learning are the content objectives identifying what students should know and be able to do.. Teachers need to think about how language will be used in the lesson as a vehicle to make the content more comprehensible while allowing opportunity for the development of academic English."

Ms. Clinton (7th grade math) is particularly enthusiastic about incorporating language objectives into her planning and teaching. She has noticed a marked difference in the way her students approach their learning. Rather than asking, "What are we doing today?" they know to refer to the specific language objectives throughout the lesson. At the conclusion of every lesson, Ms. Clinton has her students review the language objectives in peer groups, as well as in writing. "I tell my students that writing is an important skill, even in math class," says Ms. Clinton, who is in her second year at AEACMS. "The language objectives have been an effective way to guide what is happening in my classroom and for the students to know exactly what is expected of them."

The next time you are in an AEACMS classroom, and especially in Ms. Clinton's classroom, keep an eye out for the language objective listing.