Equity-based mindsets + language and literacy practices in all classrooms!
Sarah Bernadette Ottow has spent over 20 years supporting schools and organizations with her Language LensŪ approach that improves the learning experience for every student. The Language Lens for Content Classrooms: A Guidebook for Teachers, Coaches & Leaders shows educators how to center language learners while improving accessibility across Tier 1/universal instruction for all learners in all classrooms, featuring:
- Ideas to invest in all students' identities
- Strategies to boost the learning of all students through speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills across the curriculum
- Tips to support student ownership in their academic success and, ultimately, their career, college, workplace, and life readiness!
The second edition of The Language Lens is designed for all teachers and all instructional leaders, now including guidance for coaches and principals.
"This timely book provides a host of highly practical insights for addressing one of our most important challenges faced by educators striving to meet the needs of all students...cultivating the powerful symbiosis of language development and content learning." Jeff Zwiers, Stanford University
"Through putting into practice Ottow's Language Lens Guidebook for observing instruction, our building leaders have become stronger instructional leaders by not only being more in tune for what to look for but being able to provide impactful next steps to teachers." Alex Naumann, Principal
"I highly recommend this book because it's so clearly written and absolutely full of useful information. I can sit down for ten minutes and come away with an understanding I can apply right away. When I'm working with a teacher, I can open up
The Language Lens and easily find a tool, explanation, or diagram that applies to almost any situation or concern brought to my attention. This is what I need from professional development!" Julia Jeffers, EL Coordinator/Coach
"This book arrives right on time, as it provides teachers and leaders with a practical guide that combines language development tools and strategies with an appreciation for culture and student identity. As an ESL student who now sits in the superintendent's office, I appreciate the book's conscious effort to move practitioners to getting to know their students culturally and linguistically, while providing a very comprehensive set of competencies that support language learners in content classrooms. The stories of students' language learning journeys bring this work to life and the added bonuses of links to many other resources make this book a must have for anyone interested in building a multilingual community." Victor F. Capellan, Former Superintendent
"Putting on a 'language lens' in your content classroom is akin to giving your students superpower capes. The practical ideas in this book will transform your classroom into a more engaging and interactive space where students use oral and written language actively. In doing so, students will develop a meta-understanding of the power of language as a lifelong tool to learn everything more deeply and convey that learning with the enviable competency they will need in college and career." Tim Boals, Ph.D., WIDA Founder and Director
"Author Sarah Ottow's wealth of knowledge is on full display here. This book is a comprehensive and accessible primer for classroom teachers who want to support their multilingual learner students but aren't sure where to start. Language and content teachers alike will find practical "next day" strategies to help meet the needs of multilingual learners." Melissa Katz, Vice President, NYC Center for Inclusive Education
