Instructional Playbook

WISR for Multilingual Learners and Newcomers

Speaking: Provide opportunities for students to discuss new learning and connect it with prior knowledge with structured discussion protocols. Strategies to support multilingual learners may include: structured classroom discussion, maximizing opportunities to respond, providing sentence frames. Structured Classroom Discussions are sustained, rigorous academic conversations where students build and refine ideas using academic language. They promote deeper understanding and language development by encouraging critical thinking and active engagement with content. Teacher Moves Student Moves Resource(s) Vary interactions using Think-Pair-Share, Think-Pair-Write-Share, etc. Use precision partnering and strategic grouping to support students’ skill development Participate in reading, writing, speaking, and listening opportunities to explore the content Use sentence-stems to engage in conversations with peers CSD Structured Classroom Resources Structured Partner Talk example Maximize Opportunities to Respond (OTRs). OTRs are consistent and varied opportunities for students to practice language through speaking, writing, or gestures. They boost engagement, reinforce language development, and promote active participation. Teacher Moves Student Moves Resource(s) Incorporate a variety of OTRs Pair students with English speakers so they can practice using the language

Use response cards or whiteboards to share responses Point to objects in the room or on a document. Act out scenarios Answer using sentence frame(s) provided by teacher Respond to a cue or question using actions

3rd Grade TPR Example HS TPR Example OTR video

Use small groups, Think-Pair-Share, or Turn & Talk so students have a chance to practice the language Use prompts, cues, or questions that require a response in unison from class Provide sentence frames for response Avoid encouraging hands raised for response

Sentence Frames are structured starters that support students in expressing academic thinking and engaging in conversations. They scaffold academic language use—especially for MLs—by lowering linguistic barriers and promoting confident participation. Teacher Moves Student Moves Resource(s)

Provide sentence stems/frames for students to use while engaging in conversation Model use of sentence stems/frames Provide word banks of key vocabulary

Use sentence stems/frames to engage in conversations with peers

Sentence Frames in Action Academic Discussion Frames