An excellent resource for teachers of English language learners is the book "Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners: The SIOP Model". The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is an instructional model of sheltered instruction, second language acquisition, and English language development. Sheltered instruction is a method of making grade-level academic content understandable and comprehensible to English language learners while at the same time promoting English language development (ELD) and literacy. ESL, mainstream and bilingual teachers would benefit from this instructional model. The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) brings together all of the essential components of effective sheltered instruction into one comprehensive model of instruction for English language learners.

Although the entire book is extremely useful, we believe that one of the most important chapters of the book is the Lesson Preparation component. The chapter on lesson preparation explains the difference between content objectives and language objectives, and outlines the various types of language objectives that teachers can focus on when teaching content (i.e., Science, Social Studies, etc) in order to promote literacy and English language development (ELD) through the study of content.

Another important feature of the book is that it contains ESL and ELD lesson plans and classroom vignettes. The ELD/ESL lesson plan templates are extremely useful and the cd that comes at the back of the book is an added benefit to teachers who are promoting second language acquistion.

This book is a "must-have" book for all teachers of English learners!  In addition to the useful material outlined in the book, the book also comes with a cd that contains mini-video clips by the authors about each of the SIOP components. If you have an English language learner in your classroom, this is the book to read!

Purchase the book on Amazon.