Academic Language! Academic Literacy!: A Guide for K-12 Educators - Paperback

by Eli R. Johnson (Author)

"Academic language and literacy are essential keys to conceptual understanding and ultimately to student success. Eli Johnson provides a foundation that all teachers and school leaders can use for improvement that will reach every classroom and every student."
--Peter Dallas Finch, Assistant Superintendent
West Valley School District, Yakima, WA

Develop students′ understanding of academic language and watch literacy skills soar!

To achieve higher levels of learning, students must be able to understand academic language--the formalized language of instruction found in classrooms, textbooks, and standardized tests. Eli R. Johnson conveys a powerful message of the need for teachers to provide explicit academic language instruction for all students, especially English language learners or those struggling with reading.

Filled with 36 hands-on strategies, this practical, solidly researched guide helps teachers make the critical connection between academic language, literacy, and student achievement for all learners, regardless of home language or socioeconomic status. Explained in reader-friendly terms, each strategy helps teachers give their students the tools and skills necessary to decipher academic language in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This K-12 book also includes:

• A strategy matrix to help teachers select appropriate strategies for their grade level
• A description of each strategy, with information on how it works in the classroom and why it is effective
• Collaborative protocols to help infuse academic language throughout the content areas
• Lists of words that can be introduced at each grade level to build students′ vocabulary

Academic Language! Academic Literacy! helps teachers instruct students on the language of education so they have a chance to demonstrate what they know and experience success.

Author Biography

Eli R. Johnson is a consultant for the California Department of Education, supporting early literacy, English language professional development, and math and science projects. He works with urban districts throughout the state of California, strengthening teacher collaboration and school leadership. His previous experiences as a classroom teacher, site administrator, and instructional leader make him a valuable contributor to sustainable school reform. He earned a teaching degree from Brigham Young University and a master′s degree in education from the University of Washington. As a nationally recognized speaker and consultant, Eli works with teachers and leaders regarding the achievement gap, adolescent literacy, school leadership, and other issues affecting student achievement. He is married to his wonderful wife, Shaunna, and they are the parents of five children: two in high school (Natalie and Mikaila), one in middle school (Bryce), one in elementary school (Erica, ), and one in preschool (Benjamin). You can reach Eli at eli@achievement4all.com.