New hope for our students who struggle most Under the best of circumstances meeting the Common Core can be a challenge. But if you’re a teacher of academically or linguistically diverse students—and who isn’t these days—then that "challenge" may sometimes feel more like a "fantasy." Finally, here are two expert educators who are brave enough, knowledgeable enough, and grounded enough to tackle this issue. The grades 6-12 follow-up to Dove and Honigsfeld’s best-selling K-5 volume, this outstanding  resource is packed with all the advice, tools, and strategies you need to build struggling learners’ language skills in today’s Common Core climate. Armed with this book, you’ll Better understand the 32 ELA anchor standards Learn more about the specific skills "uncommon learners" need to master them Discover new research-based teaching strategies aligned to each standard Maximize the effectiveness of collaboration and co-teaching Read this book, implement its strategies, and see the benefits for yourself. It may be your best hope for making the standards achievable for all kinds of "uncommon learners": ELLs, students with disabilities, speakers of nonstandard English, and other struggling students. "Honigsfeld and Dove provide educators with research, insights, tools, and models for helping diverse students meet and exceed Common Core anchor literacy standards across disciplines. This book is a powerful guide for deepening classroom teaching practices and engaging in professional conversations that foster the enduring learning of content, language, and literacy." --Jeff Zwiers, Researcher, Stanford University, CA "Uncommon learners are more common in classrooms than you think. . . .Thankfully, Honigsfeld and Dove show us the way. They pave a path to high expectations that actually shows us how to get there. Filled with examples and ideas, this book will contribute in significant ways to the success that all learners have for decades to come." --Douglas Fisher, Professor, San Diego State University, CA

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Introduction Who Are Our Not So Common Learners? The Standards Movement Common Core Advances Application of the Common Core to Address Individual Differences Student Diversity and Teacher Challenges What Is Not Covered In The Common Core Document Focus on Research-Based Strategies to Address Learning Needs Chapter 2. Strategies for Academic Language Development Why Diverse Adolescent Learners Need Explicit Instruction in Academic Language? Core Language and Vocabulary Strategies Conventions of Standard English Knowledge and Application of Language Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Anticipated Outcomes Instructional Challenges Promising Classroom Practices Common Core Standards—(Un)Common Reflection Questions Key Resources Chapter 3. Reading Strategies for Literature Why Teaching Diverse Adolescent Learners Reading Strategies Promotes Comprehension of Literary Texts Core Reading Strategies Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Integration of Knowledge and Ideas Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity Anticipated Outcomes Instructional Challenges Promising Classroom Practices Common Core Standards—(Un)Common Reflection Questions Key Resources Chapter 4. Reading Strategies for Informational Texts Why Teaching Diverse Adolescent Learners Reading Strategies Promotes Comprehension of Informational Texts Core Informational Reading Strategies Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Integration of Knowledge and Ideas Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity Anticipated Outcomes Instructional Challenges Promising Classroom Practices Common Core Standards—(Un)Common Reflection Questions Key Resources Chapter 5. Writing Strategies Why Scaffolding and Explicit Skills Instruction Improves the Writing of Diverse Adolescent Learners Core Writing Strategies Text Types and Purposes Production and Distribution of Writing Research to Build and Present Knowledge Range of Writing Anticipated Outcomes Instructional Challenges Promising Classroom Practices Common Core Standards—(Un)Common Reflection Questions Key Resources Chapter 6. Speaking and Listening Strategies Why Speaking and Listening Skills Improve the Overall Academic Development of Diverse Adolescent Learners Core Speaking and Listening Strategies Comprehension and Collaboration Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas Anticipated Outcomes Instructional Challenges Promising Classroom Practices Common Core Standards—(Un)Common Reflection Questions Key Resources Chapter 7. Key to Successful Implementation: Collaborative Strategies Why Collaborative Practices Help Meet the Common Core Core Collaborative Practices Instructional Curriculum mapping and alignment Joint instructional planning Parallel teaching Co-developing instructional materials Collaborative assessment Co-teaching Noninstructional Joint professional development Teacher research Joint parent-teacher conferences and report card writing Planning, facilitating, and participating in extracurricular activities Anticipated Outcomes Challenges Common Core Collaborations—(Un)Common Reflection Questions Key Resources