Content-based+Immersive+Curriculum+Design

//Post ideas, information, and resources related to the Content-based Immersive Curriculum Design round table discussion here.//


 * Resources**

Susana Dutro -
 * [|A Focused Approach Overview]
 * [|A Focused Approach to Instruction for English Learners]
 * [|Systemic ELD Levels Across Functions] - Very useful matrix that maps particular language functions to proficiency levels (re: interpersonal communication)


 * Tensions**


 * **Academic language v. social language**
 * If we want students to reach high levels of language proficiency, we need to give them the disciplinary terms
 * By segregating technical terminology, we create a technically illiterate society
 * **Compatible v. obligatory content**
 * **Disciplinary content v. language development**
 * Event-driven/problem-driven
 * Focus on key vocabulary
 * Literacy is at the core
 * Need to map, articulate, and spiral your content
 * We often focus on curriculum design from the perspective of our language objectives, but it really needs to start with content objectives (and content standards)
 * Hands-on demonstrations by content area experts first
 * **Literacy development**
 * It may not be particularly useful or natural to set numbers of characters that they will learn each year
 * Some research suggests that in immersion programs, the challenge is getting teachers to think about language development instead of privileging content
 * May be a function of teacher background (those who come with elementary backgrounds may privilege content, while those with language backgrounds may privilege language over content)


 * **Teaching Culture**


 * Shouldn't be an explanation, should be a link between the culture and students' personal experiences


 * Tipping Points**


 * Curriculum development
 * Data driven (what can kids do in the disciplinary subjects and constructing curriculum around what they still cannot do)
 * Teachers need to own the data
 * Teachers may not "attach" to curriculum/lessons that they do not help to develop
 * Reflective discussions at the end of each day
 * Teaching learning strategies (teaching students how to learn)
 * Forces teachers to make a shift toward a learner-centered classroom
 * Encourages teachers to ask kids what they are learning
 * Means you need to teach language to talk about learning
 * Identifying purposes for language
 * Then identify functions
 * Make a meaningful link between the content and the language - it has to be the language that facilitates the learning the content