Sentence Frames and Discourse

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(Please continue to video after the break... ie. click on "Read More")

In many of my conversations with teachers both individually and in CWGs, the language issue is emerging over and over again. From 1st grade through 8th grade - the need for structure and explicit instruction in student discourse is overwhelmingly clear.

Years ago, many of us had the pleasure of attending a workshop at the Middle School by Jill Eggleton. For me, it was a transcendental experience and my instruction was forever changed. She convinced me of the importance of oral language in developing WRITERS, and she inspired me to use it daily - in every content area.

From "Linking the Language Strands"

Purposeful Listening and Speaking

Oral language is an integral part of the learning program across the curriculum. Students need to have purposeful interaction in the oral language function. It is important to allocate times that provide students with experiences in the different types of oral language.

It can be: transactional language that incorporates specific functional discussions, such as describing how to play a game, give directions or poetic language, such as describing a favorite character...

Or.... it can be describing your solution to a math problem!

After the break here, you can see first graders engaged in purposeful discussion. Also notice the sentence frames behind them. Yay sentence frames!!!