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Science

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by College and Career Ready Standards (CCR)

Content-Based Science Instructin for Secondary English Learners

Welcome

Welcome to the course! Please note that this course is no longer actively moderated by an instructor. We invite you to explore these archived course materials for your personal use. Please review the Course Syllabus and use it to guide your studies.

Module 1

Module 1

Topics: Introduction, language acquisition, language objectives

Outcome: Participants will be able to:

  • identify the language level of a focus student
  • describe the focus students and his or her language level from an additive/strengths or can-do model
  • write a language objective

 

In Module 1, you will learn about the levels of English language acquisition and about writing language objectives that can be used in connection with content teaching to help students move forward in their ability to use English.

Activities 

 

  • Post an autobiography 
  • Read articles and view videos 
  • Identify, research, and post information about a "focal student”
  • Write and post a language objective for your focal student 

 

Module 2

Module 2

Topics: Strategies for teaching content and vocab to English learners

Outcome: Participants will be able to:

  • synthesize strategies that work for scaffolding content for ELs
  • apply a new strategy in their classroom with their focal student in mind
  • reflect on their use of a strategy

In Module 2, you will explore strategies that teachers can employ to allow ELs access to content. The NGSS present comprehensive and rigorous science standards, and ELs can meet expectations but need appropriate scaffolds in order to comprehend spoken and written science material, and produce oral and written explanations and arguments in science.

 

Activities 

 

  • Read two articles on strategies, browse the links provided, and post rating of strategies and reflection to discussion board   
  • Try one of the strategies presented in the reading. Describe the lesson and its implementation. Reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what you might do next time. 
Not available unless:
  • The activity Module 1 Readings Time Completion Survey is marked complete
  • The activity Module 1 Focal Student and Language Objective Time Completion Survey is marked complete

Module 3

Module 3

Topics: The Next Generation Science Standards and English Learners

Outcome: Participants will be able to:
  • explain the vision of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the three dimensions of the NGSS
  • identify the performance expectation in the NGSS, the crosscutting concepts, the disciplinary core ideas, and science practices
  • locate the questions in the Framework and explain how these questions correlate to the performance expectations

In this module, you will familiarize yourself with the NGSS and the vision for science education set forth by A Framework for K-12 Science Education (referred to as the Framework). The Framework was the document that guided the NGSS development. 

 

Activities

 

  • Read two articles on the NGSS , and become familiar with the structure of the Framework and the NGSS 
  • Write a synthesis of the vision of the Framework and the three dimensions and its approach to teaching science

 

 

 

 
Not available unless:
  • The activity Module 2 Readings Time Completion Survey is marked complete
  • The activity Module 2 Try a Strategy Time Completion Survey is marked complete

Module 4

Module 4

Topics: Issues and approaches to assessing English learners in science classes

Outcome: Participants will be able to:

  • analyze an assessment currently used, using information gained from the review of articles in this module
  • share possible assessment modifications

You are well into the course at this point. This is the last module with new content information. In this week, you will learn about assessment as it related to ELs at differing language acquisition levels. You will begin to apply this knowledge to assessing science content using differentiated assessments.

The following questions should guide your thinking as you work through this module:

 

  • How does a student's level of language acquisition impact her or his ability to demonstrate mastery of science content?
  • How can assessments be modified to allow students to "show what they know” at various language levels?

 

 

Activities 

 

  • Read required articles and browse the examples of formative assessments
  • Choose an assessment you use, analyze it in terms of access for ELs, and modify it to make it more accessible to ELs

 

Not available unless:
  • The activity Module 3 Readings Time Completion Survey is marked complete
  • The activity Module 3 Synthesize Activity Time Completion Survey is marked complete

Module 5

  • Module 5

    Topic: Developing a full lesson with modifications for ELs

    Outcome: Participants will be able to:

    • identify the modifications for learners at various English language development levels in the sample assessments
    • plan a science lesson that meets the needs of learners at two language proficiency levels
    • develop differentiated assessment

     

    Congratulations, you have reached the final module!

    Now you will have a chance to apply the new understandings of the NGSS and ELs and reflect on the process of putting it all into practice.

    In this module, you will apply the new understandings for teaching science to ELs that you developed throughout the term of this course. You will be planning NGSS standards-based science units informed by knowledge of developmental language levels and language goals, teaching supports, and differentiated assessment.

     

    Activities 

     

    • Plan a standards-based science lesson using the  Lesson Plan Template
    • Teach and reflect on your lesson plan and post 

     
    Not available unless:
    • The activity Module 4 Readings Time Completion Survey is marked complete
    • The activity Module 4 Modification of an Assessment Time Completion Survey is marked complete
Updated on 13 June 2019, 12:49 PM; 363 page visits from 6 May 2019 to 28 November 2024