CREATE GRADE LEVEL SCIENCE LESSONS IN WHICH STRUGGLING STUDENTS WILL THRIVE!

Science is a subject that feeds on a student's natural curiosity about life here on earth and the possibility of its existence beyond the solar system.  For ELLs to experience the same excitement, teachers need to find very creative hands-on activities which will provide access to grade level content without watering down material. 

Many say that teaching science is just like teaching a foreign language.  In some respects that may be true in that few students in the classroom have background in the content area.  However,  teaching science as a new "language" along with its course specific vocabulary,  and delivering language development are two different animals.  One addresses SCIENCE while the other addresses developing English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in science specific content areas.  For this population, they must process academically challenging material in a language that is not their own as opposed to English speaking students who only have one hurdle -- the lesson objective -- to master. 

So, does not speaking English like a native prevent an ELL from learning in a science class?  No.  Think of the learning environment as quadrant B in Cummin's Quadrants.  Quadrant B is generally called the SDAIE Quadrant (context embedded, but cognitively demanding).  With visuals, labs, graphic organizers, lab partner work, small group experiments, video, scaffolding throughout a lesson, providing extensive practice on concepts to be learned BEFORE going home to complete assignments on that topic, multiple checks for understanding in a variety of ways where everyone is held accountable, establishing a safe risk-free learning environment, using technology (laptops, ipads, smart boards, Doceri, document cameras, cell phones, and more) etc., ELLs will not only understand key concepts, but will able to apply that knowledge beyond the classroom.  Full engagement equals understanding!   USING TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING STUDENTS

Neil Armstrong passed away this week.  In his memory, I am adding this site--APOLLO 11.  His shoe prints will be up there until the moon is no more.  Let your students experience one of humanity's crowning achievements through this video. WE CHOOSE THE MOON!

This site is one whose sole purpose is to inspire kids to think about pursuing science as a career.
GET A JOB--CAREER ZONE

One last push for engaging all students, especially ELLs and other struggling students, in science.
A LAST WORD ON TEACHING SCIENCE TO ALL CHILDREN

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

TIMELINES OFFER POTENTIAL AS EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR ELLS

Mainstream content teachers may like this form of an alternative assessment--a timeline.  Students in teams or with partners could opt to generate a detailed timeline on a topic of their choice which is tied to the content lesson or theme.  This can be done on paper, in a power point, via a student designed website, etc. 

Once the timeline is created, teachers can proceed to having students do research on each of the elements included in the timeline.  With the use of a graphic organizer, ELLs (and others) can select the key points for each item that they will later have to develop into a sentence or two which will be added to the timeline.  Since ELLs with be working with partners or in small structured cooperative groups, writing such sentences should proceed along without many, if any, glitches.  After all, the teacher will be facilitating as needed.

After the timeline is complete, students could be required to complete an essay graphic organizer around a central theme in their timeline.  Once they decide on a theme, they would move on to generating a thesis statement on the importance of their event, invention, etc. selected.  Again, especially with ELLs, allow ELLs to create this essay as a member of team.  Eventually, they will need to produce their own, but initially, this type of support builds skills and self-confidence.

Below is a timeline I found fascinating:

THE EVOLUTION OF CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY
As a teacher, I could not resist this one:)  Technology has definitely improved over the last 362 years!  Imagine using this as a example of what students should be aiming for in creating their own.   Further, teachers can model the process of creating a timeline so students will know what is expected of them in designing their own.  If students select topics of importance to them, they are more likely to experience success:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

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Have Students Who Need More Support in Math (and more)? This Site Might Help:)

Keeping to the theme of "test prep", this post will cover an easy to navigate website that allows students to review math from basic arithmetic through calculus.  It consists of number problems-no word problems.   This makes it possible for ELLs especially to review the math without struggling with the many language issues that arise in solving math word problems.  This site is a quick assessment of a student's grasp of key concepts.  Students may also retake the quizzes as often as they like.   

Since basic math is part of the site, even students as young as elementary school age would benefit from it.  Computers have infinite patience so those kids who need more time to master the process will have all the time they need.  Further, since the site is free (though you have to register), parents could continue to help them at home.  Since language is not an issue, parents who don't know English but who understand math, would be able to support their children  in honing their math skills at home.  Grades 6-8 (middle school) would have access to pre-algebra and algebra.  Again, the focus here is on computing answers to mathematical equations minus the language.  Once ELLs (and others) understand the layout and purpose of the equation, they are ready (with assistance) to start working on word problems through careful guidance on the part of the teacher and through carefully orchestrated small group OR partner learning activities.  Last, there is high school.  Every level of math from algebra through calculus is here.  Students can monitor their progress through immediate feedback.  If they did poorly, they will have enough specific feedback from the quizzes to know where they need more support from teacher. 

This site also has a few other areas students can assess themselves in as well:
Languages--English, German, French, and Spanish
Geography--Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe
Science--Cells, anatomy, elements, and conversion.
These activities are not as in depth as the math, but still serve as a quick overview review of major concepts covered in class.

THAT QUIZ

Hope your students benefit from the site's offerings:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Free Online Access to 365 Short Stories for ELLs!

With summer fast approaching for many students, teachers might wish to start compiling some activities to help students maintain (or grow) in their English skills over the summer. Since leaving students on their own to locate such language supports online might not work for many of them because knowing where to look even takes teachers some time to accomplish:) Why not start putting together some good sites that are easy to navigate and will improve their English skills before the end of school?

You have your own sites to be sure so I am going to just provide you with a few over the next few weeks that you may like to add to your own collection:) 365 SHORT STORIES is geared to those who are intermediate in their language skills. Students may listen to the story as they read along. The stories cover a wide range of everyday subjects where students will also be provided with practice with idioms, slang, and more. To build even more on their English, students have the option to do a CLOZE (example) with or without any HINTS. If you would like them to practice their question answering skills, have them try YES/NO QUESTIONS . Care for them to try out some crossword puzzles for vocabulary development, look no further. Have them click on CROSSWORD. Because students can access help at any stage in trying to do the assignments, anxiety will be low AND they will be having fun!

I hope your students like the site.

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Teach Geography? Use This Site to Help Students Review for Final Exams:)

With the end of the school year fast approaching, teachers are trying to prepare their students for end of the year examinations.  There are many ways to do this, but it never hurts to make the review process as painless as possible:)  One way to accomplish this is through activities that are highly interactive and fun.

One approach for geography is with GEOGRAPHY.  Here students can review names of continents, countries, and capital cities.  First students are "tutored" and then they may test themselves.  If the answer they selected was wrong, the program lets them try again at the end of the quiz. Second, students may also review background information on each country.  The readings are short, but detailed.  ELLs, with some support, would be able to do well here.  Third, students may also get a refresher on oceans and landscapes. 

In total, this would be a great resource to supplement coursework and prepare them for final examinations. 

Denise


ELL TEACHER PROS