The Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) produced a series of instructional tools to support access to Document-Based Questions (DBQs) for Multilingual Learners (MLLs).
DBQs, commonly used in social studies classrooms, require students to analyze primary source documents, draw upon background knowledge, and synthesize information to answer a debatable question. DBQs can be appropriately challenging for all learners, but without skillfully designed supports, inaccessible to many, especially MLLs, due to language demands and required background knowledge.
MCSS commissioned expert instructional coaches and history teachers to build guides and models that support MLL access to DBQs. More than 20 sample resources and step-by step guides for teachers are linked on their project webpage.
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