Bringing Literacy Strategies into Content Instruction

This document provides research-based guidance on academic literacy instruction in the content areas, specifically focusing on the effective use of text in content areas. It reviews the research evidence about content-area literacy instruction for adolescents and suggests ways teachers can use content-area texts to enable students to understand the vocabulary and concepts they contain. This document also provides a brief synopsis of working with adult learners and the most promising professional development practices identified in research. Intended for use by literacy specialists and other technical assistance providers in their work with states to improve educational policy and practice in adolescent literacy, it describes ways to assist states, districts, and schools in helping teachers develop the kinds of pedagogical skills needed to implement instructional practices that have been shown to improve student literacy outcomes. Also available is a FREE self-paced online 4-module course based on this document. Module 1 provides an introduction to academic literacy instruction, a discussion of key elements from the NAEP reading framework related to content area teaching and learning, and academic literacy recommendations. Module 2 contains a general discussion of research-based vocabulary instruction and guiding questions to help participants understand and reflect on the instruction described in the vocabulary vignettes. Module 3 contains a general discussion of research-based comprehension instruction and guiding questions to help participants understand and reflect on the instruction described in the comprehension vignettes. Module 4 summarizes professional development research findings, especially as they relate to content area teachers, and provides recommendations that state-, district-, or school-level leaders can apply as they design professional development that is effective in supporting content-area instruction. To access the online course, click http://rmceducatorsacademy.com/index.php to visit RMC Educator’s Academy. If you are a new user, you can create a free account for access to other online courses as well. This document and online course can facilitate effective literacy instruction in the content areas for schools implementing School Improvement Grants (SIG) and/or College and Career Ready Standards (including Common Core State Standards.

Files available for this resource:

This resource pertains to the following topics:

• Literacy
• Practitioner Guides
• Professional Development Events
• Adolescent Literacy
• SIG
• College & Career Ready Standards (including Common Core State Standards)

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