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When we are aware of a communication gap, we can plan for it.

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Equality
If a student is not able to understand or accomplish the learning target because of a communication gap, what is the point of the learning target? It is essential for all learners to be able to understand and achieve the goals of the learning target. The skills students are asked to do, must be within or just stretching their skill set.  They don't start the high jump at five foot.  There are steps to get there.  We have to recognize the gaps to ensure that students are able to "jump."

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Time is such a precious commodity in teaching the lesson, not realizing potential communication gaps cause an accident which can slow down the pace.

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If the language contained within a learning target is beyond student comprehension, the learning target becomes obsolete. If our desire is to create learning targets that actually serve a purpose, we

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Analyzing potential teacher actions (verbs) of SLIDE and (verbs) of Tread as aspects of developing the learning target ensure progress toward language acquisition for students.

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Just learn to do it. It keeps the learning healthy for all.

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It is essential
They have to see the value and importance to the student(s).  It's hard to create instant understanding.  It starts with awareness and sometimes it takes someone being pushed outside their comfort zone.

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must determine the level of understanding of the vocabulary used and develop it accordingly

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Hearing students identify success or hearing peers share ease of use/success will provide the means for peers to start the process and continue use.

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Make the Difference
Why are we in the classroom? Most of us teach because we love seeing students become learners and excited about what they are interacting with. We want to make a difference. By examining the communication gap, teachers can make content more accessible and see the understanding and difference  those differences made.

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Traditionally there are certain subjects that are viewed as NOT being language intensive but as the expert teacher we need to break down the learning to see where language intensive tasks are part of that process.

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When we commit to it ourselves and talk about the benefits of doing so, it will likely impact our peers.

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A teacher outcome from examining the communication gap is greater awareness, consideration, higher levels of achievement for the students.

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Learning Targets and instructional design demonstrate alignment among academic content, literacy, and language aquisition

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Know your students!

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Examining the potential communication gaps in a lesson may seem like the  attitude of "why pre-test" I know the students do not know this stuff. It is easy to have the attitude that the kids will be able to understand this topic  but we will actually save valuable teaching time if we predict which parts of the lesson might have communication gaps or be language intensive and plan the supports right from the start.
The better we feel about our teaching, the happier we remain in teaching.  Kinda like a happy wife means a happy life. . .(can't think of a rhyming word for teacher!)

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Be the bridge!

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Withitness (academically speaking)!

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Recognize that gaps occur and we are a major responsible player in minding the gap.

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Knowing the needs of your students so that they can better understand the content

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If you can show them how identifying the gaps help in getting students to master skills, then they will see the benefit.

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staying on track can be hard but finding ways to help motivate students want to learn

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You have to break out of your normal routine and out of the mainstream mindset to discover the differentiation that needs to take place to build in the supports that will narrow the gap.

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A specific outcome is students  better understanding and mastering a skill. I have had several of these aha moments this year when students say I never thought I could get it.

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You have to be aware of the individual needs in your classroom before you can address them. Students need to be in the "sender" seat often -- to do this you must analyze the communication gap.

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putting in the time to help those struggling may mean more work but it is what needs to be done so that all learnings have the ability to succeed

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When the gap is addressed, lessons come alive and you discover more of what students really know.  This also leads to stronger relationships with students as they grow more confident in their learning.