ELL Cheatsheet Action Words

Support Document #1 Creating Language Objectives (SIOP)

Listening Speaking Reading Writing
Language Objectives: act agree/disagree discover ask and answer
 Promote student academic language growth. arrange answer/ask distinguish questions
 Include the use of either receptive (listening and reading) distinguish converse explore brainstorm
duplicate debate find classify
and/or productive language skills (speaking and writing) categorize define find specific info collect
 Connect clearly with the lesson topic or lesson activities choose describe identify compare/contrast
copy discuss infer create
Essential Question: Which of the four domains will the students follow directions explain interpret describe
identify express locate edit
use to accomplish the content objective? indicate give instructions make connections evaluate
label identify match explain
Category Example listen name preview illustrate
match predict predict journal
Key vocabulary refers to the technical Students will be able to define the order pronounce read label
terms, concept words, and other words terms . . . .orally and in writing point rehearse read aloud list
needed to discuss, read, or write about recognize repeat skim order/organize
the topic of a lesson role play rephrase record
Language Functions refer to the ways Students will be able to formulate show respond revise
students use language in the lesson. questions and generate hypotheses sort restate state & justify
tell share opinion
Language Skills are the reading, Students will read and determine a main
summarize summarize
writing, listening, and speaking skills idea.
tell support
students need to learn. Students will write an explanation. . .
use vocabulary write/take notes
Grammar or Language Structures can Students will use adverbs when drafting
be taught when they are prevalent in the their report.
Language objectives can be process oriented: explore, listen to,
written or spoken discourse of the class. Students will recognize imperative recognize, discuss, express, practice OR performance oriented: define,
sentences write, paraphrase, argue, complete, read and respond
Lesson Tasks involve identifying Students will be able to read and
language that is embedded in a single summarize a text passage with peers and 3 Parts
lesson and turning it into explicit then teach the main information to Language Function Action verb appropriate for an ELP level
instruction in language. another student.
Topic Content related to what is taught at grade level w/
Language Learning Strategies may Students will be able to confirm their standards
include corrective strategies (reread responses to text questions with a peer.
confusing text), self-monitoring Students will be able to represent data Support Scaffold necessary for the ELL to demonstrate
strategies (make and confirm graphically. understanding through language
predictions), pre-reading
Example: Make predictions from illustrated text using personal
strategies (relate to personal
experience), or experiences.
language practice strategies (repeat or
rehearse phrases, visualize). Adapted from Making Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners by
Echevaria, Short and Vogt