Most effectively implementing standard two-language development

According to Dr. Tharp, the five research-based standards that appear in any successful program are: 1)teachers and students working together, 2)literacy and language skills developed across the curriculum, 3) school connected to students' lives, 4)students engaged with challenging lessons, and 5)an emphasis on dialogue over lecture. Reflecting on my own classroom, I believe the standard that is most effectively implemented is standard two, language development. Though I do not have ELL students this year, I do have a range of abilities and many students with speech/language impairments. In all areas of the curriculum we practice meaningful reading, writing, listening, and speaking. During reader's workshop for example, the students read in small group, independently, or with partners. While reading, students jot their thoughts, connections, predictions, and/or questions, then use their notes to write responses to literature in "dialogue journals," which is one of the strategies in this week's reading, Strategies and resources for mainstream teachers of English language learners. Once a week I write a letter to each student in their journals, providing feedback while modeling correct language in a non-threatening way. (Reed and Railsback, 2003) In addition to response journals, students write about their reading in the form of book recommendations/critiques for classmates, and once a week, students answer comprehension questions on a common story. All year we work on answering these questions by rephrasing the question and providing specific examples to support answers. Students are taught to use a checklist when answering these questions to be sure their responses are thorough. During small group instruction, we practice talking about literature by asking "elastic band" questions that encourage conversation and we talk about how to keep a conversation going. Language development strategies are evident in all other curriculum areas, but most prevalent during reader's workshop.