ED439- Building Academic Language Project (BALP) Overview
Click here to watch Overview Video
This project will give you the opportunity to learn how to build academic vocabulary
and create intentional oral language practice opportunities for English learners through
the design of an ELA unit. Over the course of the next 6 weeks, you will plan a one
week sequence of instruction that ties student reading and writing goals to an
end-of-the week discussion.
Part 1:
Choosing a
Topic/Text
Week 9
Part 2:
Text/Vocab
Analysis
Week 10
Part 3:
Building
Background
Knowledge
Week 11
&
Week 12
Part 4:
Creating a Whole
Group Discussion
Lesson Plan
Week 13
Part 5:
Presentation
Week 14
&
Week 15
You will choose a
topic and a
non-fiction
children’s
literature book
that connects to a
grade-level that
you are interested
in teaching.
Choosing a
Topic/Text
You will analyze your
chosen book and
prepare for
intentional
vocabulary
instruction with an
English learner.
You will make
decisions about
words
in the text
to
support reading
comprehension,
along with the
visuals
in the text to
find opportunities to
elevate vocabulary
and associate new
content-related
words with the text
(that are actually not
in the text).
Directions &
Example
Text Analysis
Worksheet
You will create a
Google Slideshow
to introduce your
unit’s topic to your
students and build
background
knowledge on the
text (prior to
reading it to the
class). The
slideshow will
introduce key
vocabulary words,
assess/develop
student
background
knowledge, and
provide
opportunities for
intentional oral
language practice.
Directions
Slide Template
Example Slideshow
You will develop a
lesson plan to lead a
whole group
discussion on your
topic, following a
read-aloud of your
text. Your lesson plan
will utilize scaffolds
and strategies to
enable all students to
access academic
language and
maximize participation
amongst EL students.
Lesson Template
Example
You will create a
presentation of your
Building Academic
Language Project
that will be
presented to the
class.
Final Presentation
Template
Rubric
