Improve academic language school-wide with Thinking Verbs
Often times I am asked, “If I could do just one thing to improve our focus on academic language, what should I do?
Although there is no magic answer to quickly resolve the challenges of merging different languages within your school, there is a simple approach that can be implemented school-wide, grade by grade, to make a lasting impact.
The one thing I always recommend is the use of Thinking Verbs.
When you use Thinking Verbs schoolwide, you utilize a consistent approach to introducing academic language. Take a look at how we use Thinking Verbs at English Learner Portal. Here is our English / Spanish reference chart laid out on a convenient placemat.
As we introduce Thinking Verbs to students, we use consistent icons and definitions across all grades. This way everyone schoolwide has consistent expectations when viewing the images and in how the terms are explained.
When students focus on the thinking verbs, they are really focusing in on the directions. Students often understand concepts, but sometimes don’t understand the directions for a task in a manner that will lead them to show you how much they know. This break-down of what they know and how they communicate can be alleviated through the use of the Thinking Verbs.
By focusing on Thinking Verbs and being consistent and precise, you will see students begin to pick up the language and use it as their own.
