The Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts for English Language Learners: Grades 6–12

This book enables teachers to support Grades 6-12 English language learners (ELLs) as they meet ambitious Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. It provides concrete ideas for engaging ELLs in a range of intellectually rich tasks designed to sharpen their content knowledge and academic English. The chapters weave together several themes that will help ELLs succeed in the English language arts. *Attention to complex texts: ELLs need to engage meaningfully with complex texts to develop their language and literacy skills. *Developing academic language within classroom contexts: In order for ELLs to learn academic language, they must learn it in the context of intellectually engaging tasks that enable them to read complex texts. *Independent comprehension and learner autonomy: These are achieved through specific pedagogical practices that involve scaffolding, close reading and meaningful language use. Each chapter provides reflection questions and action plans that are useful for practicing teachers, preservice teachers, graduate students, academics, researchers and professional development providers.

Luciana C. de Oliveira, Ph.D., is Interim Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami, Florida. Her research focuses on issues related to teaching English language learners (ELLs) at the K-12 level, including the role of language in learning the content areas and teacher education, advocacy and social justice. Currently, Dr. de Oliveira’s research examines the linguistic challenges of the Common Core State Standards for ELLs and their implications for teachers of ELLs. She is the series editor of five volumes focused on the Common Core and ELLs (2014-2016) with TESOL Press.