Mod 19 Discussion: Taking the Lead on Literacy

One approach I’d recommend across all content areas is sheltered instruction. It’s something I already use a lot, so it feels very doable and realistic. I like that it doesn’t change what we’re teaching, just how we’re teaching it so students can actually access the content.

This approach works in every subject. In math and science, visuals, hands-on activities, and sentence starters really help students understand what’s going on. In history, using pictures, timelines, and talking things through makes a big difference. Even in PE and the arts, modeling and showing students what to do supports both understanding and language.

What stands out to me is how much this approach builds off what students already know and brings their experiences into learning. Because sheltered instruction is flexible and easy to adapt, it’s something I feel comfortable using myself and explaining to other teachers without it feeling overwhelming.