Language Objectives

For class, we made youtube videos on language objectives.  Check out my video at the following link:

YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK: http://youtu.be/u3QBymyqTxY








And this is the text of my powerpoint, in case you can't see it very clearly:

What are language objectives?

• Lesson objectives that specifically outline the type of language that students will need to learn and use in order to accomplish the goals of the lesson
• Coincide with content objectives
• Support linguistic development
• Involve the 4 language skills – listening, speaking, reading, and writing

Why are they important?

• Articulate for learners the academic language functions and skills that they need to master to fully participate in the lesson and meet the grade-level content standards
• Are beneficial not only for language learners but for all students in a class, as everyone can benefit from the clarity that comes with a teacher outlining the requisite academic language to be learned and mastered in each lesson

Categories of language objectives:

• Vocabulary
• Language function
• Literacy skills
• Grammar

How do you create them?
(1)    Key vocabulary, concept words, and other academic words needed to talk, read, and write about the topic; those words can be an objective
(2)    Language functions related to the topic (e.g, describe, explain, compare, or chart information).  Use WIDA standards!
(3)    Language skills necessary for students to accomplish activities; acquiring the skills needed to carry out these tasks might be the focus of an objective
(4)    Grammar or language structures common to the content area (i.e. passive voice, comparative language/phrases); writing in these can be an objective
(5)    Tasks will complete and the language embedded in assignments; objective might focus on explaining a procedure
(6)    Language learning strategies that lend themselves to the topic of the lesson; i.e., if students are starting a new chapter in the textbook, “previewing the text” strategy can be an objective

Example: My lesson

1.Morning practice: read a passage from the textbook and watch teacher model a Venn diagram

2.Independent Work: read another passage with a buddy and answer comparing and contrasting questions

3.Small group: read “East Meets West: Japan and America” (Reading 2007 Leveled Reader Grade 3 Unit 5 Lesson 1 Below-Level; by Scott Foresman, April 15, 2005)

4.Then, compare and contrast setting, plot, theme, characters

My student: 3rd grade
WIDA scores: Writing - 1.9, Reading - 1.6

Lesson Objectives:

• I can read a book at my level. (READING)
• I can read a variety of text with accuracy, rate, and expressions on repeated readings; I understand what I read. (READING) 
• I can compare and contrast the settings, themes, plots, and characters in text. (WRITING) 

Language Objectives:  

• I can learn new words like: plot, character, theme, and setting. (READING)
• I can use context clues, rereading, and self-correcting strategies to know if what I am reading makes sense. (READING) 
• I can use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast. (WRITING)