WIDA's Key Uses and Academic Language

Once you have gotten familiar with the Can Do descriptors, you can start looking into the NEW WIDA Key Uses to help with academic language use.

What should we know about LANGUAGE?






General Key uses Info-   
The purpose of this addition to the Descriptors is to provide examples of academic language use for 4 specific communicative purposes taught in school:

1-Recount          2- Explain              3- Argue              4- Discuss





Read on for more info on each Key Use-

NEW Key Use Descriptors available through WIDA 

1- Argue:


Example gr 1 descriptors:






2-Explain:




Example gr 2-3 descriptors:





3- Recount:


Examples Kindergarten:






4- Discuss:



Example gr 4-5:

Start off with simple Accountable Talk sentence stems and then into upper grades, work your way into specific learner roles to keep all students accountable. 

**k-2 or any beginner class with accountable talk.




**3-5 once accountable talk is modeled and ready to take it to the next step.






*What to expect from your students at various language levels...

WIDA resource-





~Michelle K & Christine P