These children are not lacking in the ability to learn. They are lacking
in learning experiences that will help them develop problem-solving and higher
order thinking skills. We do a terrible disservice to them by using a limiting,
marginalizing, and reduced curriculum that is devoid of any real thinking. To
catch up, these children need just the opposite: content-rich instruction that
blends meaningful learning with foundational skills. Features of effective content-
and language-rich instruction include