WABE 2026 Annual Conference

If you have seven pencils and I have 14 apples, how many chickens will fit on the roof? Mathematical word problems can feel nonsensical, especially for multilingual learners! Learners thrive when given appropriate language scaffolding rather than decontextualized or over-simplified problems. This workshop supports educators in identifying and implementing language supports to promote mathematical literacy and sensemaking.

Looking for powerful, practical ways to support language development and deepen content learning? This interactive session introduces high-impact instructional strategies that every teacher, regardless of grade level or subject, can use to amplify student language and promote academic growth. These strategies are designed to activate all domains of language, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, in meaningful and integrated ways. Participants will explore how to create rich opportunities for student talk, scaffold academic vocabulary, and design tasks that support both language and content mastery.