Scaffolding the Comprehension Toolkit for English Language Learners: Previews and Extensions to Support Content Comprehension

by Brad Buhrow

"We have created the lessons in these books to help teachers give their English language learners the conceptual background and English language structures they need to collaborate fully in each "Toolkit "lesson." "-Stephanie Harvey, Anne Goudvis, Brad Buhrow, and Anne Upczak-Garcia

The Comprehension Toolkit's inclusive whole-group instruction sets a high comprehension bar for ALL students. Recognizing that English language learners think as deeply and meaningfully as native speakers, Stephanie Harvey, Anne Goudvis, Brad Buhrow, and Anne Upczak-Garcia contend that rather than lowering the comprehension bar for ELLs, we should instead supply them with the language support they need to express their thoughts in an academic setting. Designed to help students unpack the vocabulary and language structures in every "Toolkit "lesson, the "Scaffolding The Comprehension Toolkit for English Language Learners "books meet just that need. In addition to helping your English language learners actively participate in "Toolkit "lessons and express what they fully comprehend, these lesson previews and extensions offer you a model for how to address ELL learning needs across the curriculum. "

A consistent mix of minilessons and strategies support every "Toolkit " - Preview the "Toolkit "Lesson builds background knowledge and introduces concepts, vocabulary, and language structures used in the "Toolkit "lesson. - Teach the "Toolkit "Lesson integrates the preview activities into the "Toolkit "lessons and help you optimize "Toolkit "practices to support ELLs. - Extend the "Toolkit "Lesson includes explicit practice with grammar, syntax and oracy, as well as content and comprehension extensions. Learn more about the Comprehension Toolkit series at ComprehensionToolkit.com The Comprehension Toolkit series helps you teach nonfiction reading strategies in a variety of instructional settings. Whole-Group Instruction Grades The Primary Comprehension Toolkit Grades The Primary Comprehension Toolkit Bundle (includes Trade Book Pack) Grades 3-6: The Comprehension Toolkit Grades 3-6: The Comprehension Toolkit Bundle (includes Trade Book Pack) Small-Group Instruction Grades Small-Group Lessons for The Primary Comprehension Toolkit Grades 3-6: Small-Group Lessons for The Comprehension Toolkit Short Nonfiction for Guided Reading and Independent Practice Grades Toolkit Texts Grades 2-3: Toolkit Texts Grades 4-5: Toolkit Texts Grades 6-7: Toolkit Texts ELL Support Grades Scaffolding The Primary Comprehension Toolkit for English Language Learners Grades 3-5: Scaffolding The Comprehension Toolkit for English Language Learners Staff Development Staff Development with The Comprehension Toolkits Resources for PLCs Comprehension and Collaboration Book Study Bundle Inquiry Circles in Elementary Classrooms DVD Inquiry Circles in Middle and High School Classrooms DVD Save with Teacher Packs The Primary Comprehension Toolkit Teacher Pack The Comprehension Toolkit Teacher Pack

Paperback

First published July 28, 2011

About the author

Brad Buhrow teaches full time in Boulder, Colorado, where culturally and linguistically diverse first and second graders continue to inform his theory and practice of teaching content comprehension. Brad clearly understands the schedules, demands and pressures placed on classroom teachers each day. Being a full time classroom teacher allows him to demonstrate a pedagogy of engagement-one that puts students’ thinking, passions and their excitement to learn about their world front and center.

He and his students are featured in the professional development videos participating in content comprehension instruction. Videos include: Reading the World (Goudvis and Harvey, Stenhouse 2005) and The Primary Comprehension Toolkit, (Harvey and Goudvis, Heinemann 2008).

Brad is co-author of Ladybugs, Tornadoes and Swirling Galaxies: English Language Learners Discover Their World Through Inquiry (Stenhouse 2006); Comprehension Going Forward (Heinemann 2011); Scaffolding the Comprehension Toolkit for English Language Learners (Heinemann 2012).

Brad contributed to Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles in Action (Heinemann 2010) and Best Practices 4th Edition: Bringing Standards to Life in America’s Classrooms (Heinemann 2012).

He co-authored an article on questioning for Connect, a magazine dedicated to inquiry-based learning. Brad has presented at the CCIRA, NABE, IRA, and NCTE conferences and participated in the, Denver-based, Public Business Education Coalition’ s Research and Practice Symposiums.