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The SWIRL Method
Supporting Multilingual Learners as They Speak, Write, Interact, Read, and Listen
National Board Certified Teacher and award-winning, best-selling author Susan B. Katz provides educators with a practical guide for teaching language in multilingual classrooms. Discover strategies and exercises for speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills, with a focus on understanding student progress and offering continued support.
Benefits
- Comprehend integral aspects and stages of language acquisition and proficiency.
- Learn how to keep students’ affective filter low so they are more receptive to learning.
- Benefit from activities that actively engage all five language competencies.
- Discover culturally responsive ways to introduce language instruction.
- Encourage language use and development in readily applicable ways and scenarios.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1: The Elements of Learning a New Language
Chapter 1: Setting Up the Classroom to SWIRL
Chapter 2: Understanding Language Acquisition and Proficiency Levels
Chapter 3: Planning Lessons
Part 2: The SWIRL Elements
Chapter 4: Speaking
Chapter 5: Writing
Chapter 6: Interacting
Chapter 7: Reading
Chapter 8: Listening
REPRODUCIBLES
Chapter 2: Understanding Language Acquisition and Proficiency Levels
Chapter 4: Speaking
- Figure 4.2: Jigsaw Graphic Organizer
- KWL Chart
- Cognitive Content Dictionary
- Octopi Have Tentacles
- Four Layers of the Rain Forest
- Sweet Harriet
- Process Grid
Chapter 5: Writing
Chapter 6: Interacting
Chapter 7: Collaborating for Classroom Culture—Doing the Right Work
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Books
- Buffum, A., Mattos, M., & Malone, J. (2018). Taking action: A handbook for RTI at Work. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Conzemius, A. E., & O’Neill, J. (2014). The handbook for SMART school teams: Revitalizing best practices for collaboration (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Mattos, M., Buffum, A., Malone, J., Cruz, L. F., Dimich, N., & Schuhl, S. (2025). Taking action: A handbook for RTI at Work (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Nickelsen, L., & Dickson, M. (2019). Teaching with the instructional cha-chas: Four steps to make learning stick. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Nickelsen, L., & Dickson, M. (2022). The literacy triangle: 50+ high-impact strategies to integrate reading, discussing, and writing in K–8 classrooms. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
- Simms, J. A., & Marzano, R. J. (2019). The new art and science of teaching reading. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
Websites
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
- Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System
- Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD)
- E.L. Achieve
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
- Think-Pair-Share
- Classroom Feud Powerpoint Game Template
- Discussion Dice
- Scaffolding Discussion Skills With a Socratic Circle
- The National Paideia Center
- ReadWriteThink
- Touchstones Discussion Project
Chapter 7
- AnkiApp
- Multicultural Books for Children
- Rime Magic
- Rime Magic Videos
- Rime Magic for Reading Success (YouTube channel)
- Over 50 Greek and Latin Root Words
- i-Ready
Chapter 8
