Making Science Accessible - Help Me Learn New Teaching Strategies
I need books, such as "Science for English Language Learners: K-12 Classroom Strategies," to help me learn new strategies to reach the diverse learner in my classroom.
I work with an eager to learn group of high school students in a small, rural school district. Many of my students have learned English as their second language, but that doesn't stop them from pursuing advanced science classes. In the six years that I have worked in this district, I have noticed a steady increase in the number of students pursuing elective science courses. This has resulted in some students graduating with over 6 science credits when only 3 are required.
With this increase in students taking elective science courses, the diversity of students in my classes has also increased.
The number of ELL students, as well as students with IEPs, in my classes, has gone up substantially in recent years. These students bring unique skills and perspectives to class and push me to broaden my teaching repertoire.
My Project
My goal is to learn new strategies to help me make my classes accessible to all students that want to take them. My main focus will be teaching English language learners, as a growing number of my students would benefit from this.
My goal is broken into three parts: (1) learning about teaching English language learners, (2) assessing prior knowledge, and (3) building science skills.
I will use "Science for English Language Learners: K-12 Classroom Strategies" to increase my knowledge of strategies that work to teach science and language. "Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science" will provide me with formative assessment probes I can use in assessing my students' prior knowledge. This will let me know where there are gaps in understanding, and link new learning with concrete experiences. The final two books will provide me with additional strategies and activities to improve my teaching.
As I focus on building a repertoire of strategies to better teach my ELL students, all of my students will benefit from the instructional strategies and practices I learn. Assessing prior knowledge and adding activities that build science skills are beneficial for all students.
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