Real World Science and the Real World Science and the ESL LearnerESL Learner..

By By

Mary K. WilliamsMary K. Williams

ChallengesChallenges

• When dealing with discrete facts, real learning When dealing with discrete facts, real learning requires the ability to understand, not just to requires the ability to understand, not just to repeat. repeat.

• Are the student’s academic skills near grade Are the student’s academic skills near grade level in the native language?level in the native language?

• English grammar or vocabulary challengesEnglish grammar or vocabulary challenges

What the critics sayWhat the critics say..

student experience is the central strategy student experience is the central strategy for teaching sciencefor teaching science

““project-based” science instructionproject-based” science instruction different instruments and assessment different instruments and assessment

strategiesstrategies

What are questions schools are What are questions schools are asking to address the situation?asking to address the situation?

Does the student need an ESL or bilingual Does the student need an ESL or bilingual program?program?

Does the student realize what is “real Does the student realize what is “real world” and what is myth?world” and what is myth?

Can the student apply what is learned in Can the student apply what is learned in class to what happens at home?class to what happens at home?

What can we do as teachers (any What can we do as teachers (any subject)?subject)?

Teachers must become “myth” busters.Teachers must become “myth” busters. Integrate across grade level for optimum Integrate across grade level for optimum

benefit.benefit.Teachers in various content areas working Teachers in various content areas working

together shows teamwork.together shows teamwork.Students use teacher modeled teamwork Students use teacher modeled teamwork

as example to follow.as example to follow.

What can science teachers do to What can science teachers do to ensure all students get a fair ensure all students get a fair

chance?chance?

Expose students Expose students to as much hands on, to as much hands on, real science as possiblereal science as possible

Connect class to environmentConnect class to environment

ReferencesReferences

Anderson R. D,. (2002). Reforming science teaching: What research says about inquiry. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 13(1): 1-12, Anderson R. D,. (2002). Reforming science teaching: What research says about inquiry. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 13(1): 1-12,

Simkins, M., Cole, K., Tavalin, F. & Means, B. (2002). Chapter 3. In the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Making a Simkins, M., Cole, K., Tavalin, F. & Means, B. (2002). Chapter 3. In the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Making a real-world connection. Increasing Student Learning Through Multimedia Projects,real-world connection. Increasing Student Learning Through Multimedia Projects,

Hargett, G. R,.(1998). Assessment in ESL &Bilingual Education;A Hot Topics Paper. Portland, OR: NWREL’s Comprehensive Center, Region X, Hargett, G. R,.(1998). Assessment in ESL &Bilingual Education;A Hot Topics Paper. Portland, OR: NWREL’s Comprehensive Center, Region X, Northwest Regional Educational LaboratoryNorthwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Reynolds, D. W. (2004).Linguistic correlates of second language literacy development: evidence from middle-grade learner essays. Retrieved Reynolds, D. W. (2004).Linguistic correlates of second language literacy development: evidence from middle-grade learner essays. Retrieved October 19, 2004 from Department of English, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-3013, USA October 19, 2004 from Department of English, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-3013, USA

Sutman, F.X. - And Others, (1993). Teaching science effectively to limited English proficient students. (ERIC Identifier: ED357113) ERIC Sutman, F.X. - And Others, (1993). Teaching science effectively to limited English proficient students. (ERIC Identifier: ED357113) ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education New York NY. ERIC/CUE Digest, Number 87.Clearinghouse on Urban Education New York NY. ERIC/CUE Digest, Number 87. Publication Date: 1993-03-00Publication Date: 1993-03-00

Real-World Learning: A Necessity for the Success of Current Reform Efforts Real-World Learning: A Necessity for the Success of Current Reform Efforts http://www.enc.org/topics/realworld/context/document.shtm?input=FOC-000884-indexhttp://www.enc.org/topics/realworld/context/document.shtm?input=FOC-000884-index

retrieved: October 11, 2004retrieved: October 11, 2004 Thorson, A.Thorson, A. Beyond Curriculum: Getting Real with our Students Beyond Curriculum: Getting Real with our Students

http://www.enc.org/topics/realworld/context/document.shtm?input=FOC-000915-indexhttp://www.enc.org/topics/realworld/context/document.shtm?input=FOC-000915-index retrieved: October 11, 2004retrieved: October 11, 2004

Jesness, J, (2004). Classroom strategies for ESL teachers. Teaching English Language Learners K-12: A Quick-Start Guide for the New Jesness, J, (2004). Classroom strategies for ESL teachers. Teaching English Language Learners K-12: A Quick-Start Guide for the New Teacher: Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin PressTeacher: Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press