Word Generation: Using Online Tools To Support Effective Implementation of an Academic Language Program (SERP Institute)

This webinar was presented on Apr 28, 2009 and is now archived

Presenters

Catherine Snow (Primary)

SERP-Boston Research Director; Professor of Education
SERP Institute; Harvard Graduate School of Education


Description

In this webinar, SERP-Boston Research Director Catherine Snow, Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, will provide an overview of Word Generation, a program for students in the middle grades that uses research-based principles for teaching vocabulary and designing instructional units focusing on all-purpose academic words. In addition to vocabulary instruction, Word Generation provides opportunities for students to engage in purposeful academic discussion and write persuasive essays. The webinar will also provide an introduction to the free Word Generation website, and describe its use as a support for teacher engagement and professional development in the major pedagogical strategies supported by Word Generation. These pedagogical strategies include promoting academically productive classroom discussion, ensuring the recurrent use of targeted words in semantically rich contexts and supporting student engagement by providing a space for their deeply held views to be heard and debated. Dr. Snow will also discuss results from two years of implementation in eight schools, providing evidence of the program's effectiveness in achieving its main goals as well as in bringing about higher levels of student motivation.

This presentation is co-sponsored by SERP (Strategic Education Research Partnership) and SchoolsMovingUp. The Word Generation Program was developed by the SERP Institute in collaboration with the Boston Public Schools. SERP's mission is to mobilize the expertise of teachers and school administrators and the power of scientific research, political will and financial resources in a collaborative endeavor to improve student learning.

RELATED UPCOMING WEBINARS

RELATED PAST WEBINARS

Understanding How to Navigate the Map of Standards for English Learners (Introductory)

Understanding How to Use the Essential ELD Standards for Teaching and Assessment (Intermediate)

English Learners and the Language Arts

English Learners and the Language Arts (Follow-up Presentation)

Evaluating English Learner Services & Results for Accountability & Instructional Improvement, Part 2

IDEA and Literacy

What Does the Research Say About Designing Quality Literacy Instruction?

What’s Happening in Vocabulary Research?

Reading Science for Understanding in Middle and High School

Double the Work: Challenges and Solutions to Acquiring Language and Academic Literacy for Adolescent ELLs (Research from CREATE)

Findings from the National Literacy Panel on Language Minority Children and Youth (Research from CREATE)

Promising Technology Practices for Struggling Readers

Word Lists: Choices and Uses

Learning All-Purpose Academic Words (Research from CREATE)

Tools for Literacy: Technology to Support Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Development

Making Standards-based Lessons Understandable for English Learners: The SIOP Model (Research from CREATE)

Critical Science Vocabulary

The Key Three Routine: Comprehension Strategy Instruction

A School Immersed in Vocabulary

A County Immersed in Vocabulary

Making Standards-based Lessons Understandable for English Learners: The SIOP Model (Encore Presentation)

Differentiated Tools and Strategies to Support RTI in Language Arts/Social Studies

Engaging, Differentiated Grammar Lessons to Promote Student Success in Writing

"The webinar reinforced my personal and professional belief that vocabulary is the number one stumbling block for our students. It showed how this is EVERY educator's concern. The demonstration of how collaboration between subject matter teachers can increase student learning exponentially was encouraging and has renewed my enthusiasm to build best practice instruction skills with my staff."

—Webinar Participant

From WestEd.org

Discussion Builders Posters Set: K-1, 2-3, and 4-8

When we introduced these posters in professional development, teachers begged us to publish them, and so we have. Use them to build students’ language and thinking in any subject area. Powerful scaffolding for English language learners.

Make the Most of Our Webinars

Let us help you make the most of your live webinar or archived webinar experience. Participation instructions, tips for small groups, and ideas for professional development are included.