Gloss, Don’t Simplify Everything
Place a brief gloss beside a blocking term while preserving the original sentence and its subject relationship.
Worked model: Gloss, Don’t Simplify Everything
View the illustrated activity card
- 1Place a brief gloss beside a blocking term while preserving the original sentence and its subject relationship
- 2Annotate a small number of blocking terms or references
- 3Read the original sentence with the gloss beside it
- 4Answer using evidence from the original text, not only the annotation
Beside concentration, add “number of particles in a given volume” and point to the relevant diagram. Preserve the explanation of movement down a concentration gradient.
Teach the move
Prepare · 5 minutes
Keep the original text and choose only barriers that prevent the intended reading.
- 1
Place a brief gloss beside a blocking term while preserving the original sentence and its subject relationship.
- 2
Annotate a small number of blocking terms or references.
- 3
Read the original sentence with the gloss beside it.
- 4
Answer using evidence from the original text, not only the annotation.
EAL upgrade
Reduce annotations instead of rewriting the whole text.
Keep the subject challenge. Offer one model, visual or language prompt where needed, then check a fresh independent response.
Try it tomorrow
Keep the original text and choose only barriers that prevent the intended reading.
Place a brief gloss beside a blocking term while preserving the original sentence and its subject relationship. Annotate a small number of blocking terms or references.
Remove one gloss in a fresh paragraph and check whether context now supports understanding.
Reduce annotations instead of rewriting the whole text.
What to look for
Remove one gloss in a fresh paragraph and check whether context now supports understanding.
Teacher language
Adapt these prompts to the task and your learners.
Our purpose is: Place a brief gloss beside a blocking term while preserving the original sentence and its subject relationship.
Show the relationship and explain the choice you made.
Try the new case on your own. Show the detail or reasoning that supports your answer.
Which support do you still need, and which part can you now do independently?
Across subjects
Maths: gloss a contextual word while preserving the problem. Humanities: annotate a historical term without removing the source’s wording.
Adjust language support
Use a small word bank, visuals and partner rehearsal when needed. Extend with precise explanations and qualifications. Judge the support from the response to this task.