SIOP® Features #23-24: Content and Language Objectives Clearly Supported by Lesson Delivery

You can write the clearest content and language objectives in the world, but if your lesson delivery does not actually support those objectives, they are just words on the board.

Features 23 and 24 ask a simple question: does what you are doing in the lesson actually move students toward the objectives you set?

This is about alignment.

If your content objective says students will compare and contrast two forms of government, then your lesson delivery needs to include activities where students actually compare and contrast, not just listen to a lecture about government.

If your language objective says students will use comparative language, such as “is larger than” or “has more... than,” then your lesson delivery needs to include structured opportunities for students to practice that language.

Do not just post them and forget them. Return to the objectives at transition points.

Example: “We are about to do an activity that helps us meet our language objective. Remember, our goal is to practice using comparative language.”

If the language objective involves writing, students must write. If it involves speaking, students must speak.

Match the activity to the skill.

Before delivering the lesson, read each activity and ask: “Does this directly support one of my objectives?”

If an activity does not clearly connect to an objective, either revise the activity or revise the objective.

It means the activities, instruction, and practice opportunities in the lesson directly help students achieve the content and language objectives posted at the beginning of class. Every activity should connect back to at least one objective.

Our SIOP® training gives teachers hands-on practice designing aligned lessons.

The English Learner Institute covers lesson delivery alignment in depth.

Next session: June 8 to 11, 2026.