Bring classroom content to life for multilingual learners In this eagerly anticipated revision of their bestselling book, authors Diane Staehr Fenner, Sydney Snyder, and Meghan Gregoire-Smith share dynamic, research-backed strategies that every educator of multilingual learners (MLs) can add to their repertoire. Including more of what educators loved from the first edition--authentic classroom examples, a wide variety of research-based instructional strategies, and practical tools to implement across grade levels and content areas--this is the ultimate practical guide to unlocking the potential of MLs in K-12 classrooms. With fresh graphics and eye-catching colors, this thoroughly revised edition also includes: Considerations for newcomers and students with interrupted or no formal education (SLIFE) An added chapter on building scaffolded instruction and peer learning opportunities into MLs' academic reading and writing activities Additional opportunities for reflection and application A new unit planning template aligned with research-based instructional practices, including a completed example unit Situated within five core beliefs that frame the must-haves for MLs' equitable and excellent education, Unlocking Multilingual Learners′ Potential is a guide to research-based practices and a toolbox of strategies every educator can implement to make content accessible and increase language proficiency among MLs.
Diane Staehr Fenner Book order






- 2024
- 2023
Fitting in can be hard for a young pear. We all have to figure out who we are, where we belong, and where we want to go. Enjoy the story of Pedro, a pear that has a lot to learn about his place in the world in this charmingly illustrated book for children.
- 2021
Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Celebrate the Cultural and Linguistic Strengths of Multilingual LearnersDespite recent efforts to shift the narrative for our English learners, most of our present policies and practices are indisputably informed by a deficit lens that focuses on what is lacking (English language proficiency) rather than assets (emergent multilingualism. In this book, Sydney Snyder and Diane Staehr Fenner apply a strengths-based perspective where all educators can feel ownership for multilingual learners′ success within and beyond classroom walls. Highlights of the book include:*Case studies and reflection exercises to help educators respond to and mitigate deficit-thinking*Practical and printable tools that guide educators on how to draw from students′ cultural and linguistic assets*Authentic classroom video clips to support closing knowing-doing gaps*Sketch note graphics that serve as visual supplements to help reinforce key concepts and spotlight central themes.By using culturally responsive teaching as a framework for changing educational outcomes for multilingual learners and presenting the steps needed to develop a climate in which all students' backgrounds, experiences, and cultures are honored, educators will build a stronger and more diverse school community.
- 2020
Breaking Down the Wall
- 240 pages
- 9 hours of reading
"Approximately 1 out of 10 (or nearly 5 million) students in the U.S. have been classified as English Learners. In California, ELs account for nearly a quarter of the public school population. Other states (Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina) report the most significant growth in EL population from 2000 - 2014. And while EL population sizes, policies, program models, and accountability systems vary widely between states and districts, a singular, sobering reality seems to extend across all differences: no matter where they go to school, most ELLs are struggling because they have little or no access to quality instruction tailored to their needs. Consider the following: Only 63 percent of ELs graduate from high school, compared with the overall national rate of 82 percent. In New York State, for example, the overall high school graduation rate is about 78 percent. But for ELs, it's 37 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those who do graduate, only 1.4 percent take college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT. Achievement disparities between ELs and their non-EL peers are still significant. In 2016, 32 states reported not having a sufficient number of teachers to address the needs of EL students"-- Provided by publisher
- 2020
And Justice for ELs
- 160 pages
- 6 hours of reading
And Justice for ELs is a resource every school leader must read right away―for that matter, keep within arm’s reach because you’re certain to refer to it constantly. Ayanna Cooper, a former U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, has "been there, done that" and is now prepared to share with you how best to translate today’s federal mandates into actionable steps for ensuring the civil rights of our nation’s multilingual learners. Because it is impossible to provide specific advice or guidance for every possible situation, Ayanna focuses on the "need-to knows" for making informed decisions within your own But what you’ll love most is the way Ayanna "keeps it real." Every chapter is framed around a "What Would You Do?" scenario, for which she ultimately provides an answer(s) as well as guiding questions to help you think through the issues. Take a look for yourself. We know you’ll agree that And Justice for ELs is without question a one-of-a-kind resource. "And Justice for ELs is an excellent guide for practitioners who seek to provide their English learners with high-quality instruction in all subject areas. Too often such students are relegated an education that marginalizes them academically and fails to develop their native language skills. We can and must do a better job for these students, and in this book Ayanna Cooper shows us how." ~Pedro A. Noguera
- 2018
Teaching Reading to English Learners, Grades 6 - 12
- 200 pages
- 7 hours of reading
This book provides assistance to teachers who struggle with the question of how to appropriately present complex subject matter to students who are just learning to speak English.
- 2018
EL Excellence Every Day
- 328 pages
- 12 hours of reading
"Ensuring English Learner achievement is a growing priority among educators across the nation for several reasons: (1) ELs are fastest growing student population in the nation (2) Achievement gaps between ELs and their non-EL peers show little signs of narrowing. ELs also have some of the highest dropout rates of historically underserved subpopulations. (2) ESSA increases local accountability for EL achievement; (3) ELs spend the majority of the school day under the care of mainstream classroom teachers, most of whom have little or no formal preparation in meeting the needs of this complex population. Few would argue that helping every mainstream classroom teachers excel with ELs is the number one way to elevate EL achievement. While there are many books about EL instruction, not one is a practical, user-friendly reference designed specifically to meet the priorities of mainstream teachers. Most of the current EL books are heavy with theory and research, or offer strategies in a vacuum irrelevant to how teachers approach planning and teaching every day"-- Provided by publisher
- 2017
This rich ELL resource helps content and ESOL teachers collaboratively help struggling ELs meet today's rigorous content standards using research-based scaffolding techniques, advocacy and more!
- 2015
Opening Doors to Equity
- 248 pages
- 9 hours of reading
How do we make educational equity a reality, lesson by lesson? This book shows how team observation and learning can strengthen schools and support educational achievement by all students. It helps to: implement practices for observation-based professional learning; and more.
- 2015
Evaluating ALL Teachers of English Learners and Students With Disabilities
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
The first guide to teacher evaluation that is explictly designed for the full inclusion of all learners, this invaluable resource will ultimately increase quality access to the general education curriculum for English Learners and for students with disabilities.