Chapter 2 explores teaching literacy skills to learners from diverse populations. Emphasis is on providing for youngsters who are still acquiring English as well as students who have special needs: economically disadvantaged youths, youngsters from diverse cultural backgrounds, students who have learning disabilities, and students, in general, who struggle with reading and writing. Emphasis in this chapter (as in other chapters) is on preparing all students to be college and career ready

Module Objectives

Students will be able to:

Objective 2.1: Adapt instruction so as to build the language and literacy abilities of English language learners.

Objective 2.2: Explain the special needs and characteristics of diverse populations of students.

Objective 2.3: Plan and implement literacy programs based on the needs and characteristics of diverse populations of students.

Objective 2.4: Understand and participate in a Response to Intervention program.

Objective 2.5: Value diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and literary heritages.

After reading text, apply knowledge gained to answer the question.

1.What adaptations might you make for English language learners, even though you don’t speak their language? On what basis would you make these adaptations? What resources might you use?

2.How does academic language differ from general or conversational language? List some techniques that help in fostering both types when working with EL students.