Synopses & Reviews
This updated edition of the bestselling guidebook helps middle and high school science teachers reach English learners in their classrooms. The guide offers practical guidance, powerful and concrete strategies, and sample lesson scenarios that can be implemented immediately in any science class. It includes
- rubrics to help teachers identify the most important language skills at five ELD levels;
- practical guidance and tips from the field;
- seven scaffolding strategies for differentiating instruction;
- seven tools to promote academic language and scientific discourse;
- assessment techniques and accommodations to lower communication barriers for English learners; and
- two integrated lesson scenarios demonstrating how to combine and embed these various strategies, tools, techniques, and approaches.
The volume is designed for teachers who have had limited preparation for teaching science in classrooms where some students are also English learners.
Review
"What a delight it was for me to read through these chapters! My teacher heart was filled with excitement over the support this book will provide to the field. The scenarios in which teachers talk about their instructional choices reveal clear decision-making pathways through the complexities of planning instruction for linguistically diverse classes." -- Dolores Beltran, Assistant Professor, California State University, Los Angeles, California
Review
"These strategies and teaching tips for classroom differentiation are easy to understand and the explanations of the levels of English proficiency are clear and concrete. As a teacher with many English learners in every class, I value the ideas and models presented in this guidebook." -- Sonia Jaramilla-Perez, LASERS Rural Schools Alisal (CA) School District
Review
"Wow! This distillation of science teaching strategies for English learners establishes a solid foundation for effective classroom instruction in any subject, for all learners. This is truly the way I feel about this book -- thanks." -- Bill Pence, Science Teacher, California High School, San Ramon, California
About the Author
Creator of the bestselling Map of Standards for English Learners, John Carr, Ph.D., develops resources and conducts workshops for teachers and teacher-leaders about practical approaches to standards-based classroom instruction and assessment for English Learners. He is senior research associate for the Evaluation program at WestEd.Ursula M. Sexton conducts research and manages projects that investigate the roles that cultural diversity and language play in mathematics and science assessment development, testing, and instructional practices. She is senior research associate for the Culture and Language in Education project and the Mathematics, Science, and Technology program for WestEd.Rachel Lagunoff, Ph.D, contributes to the development, review, and alignment of state standards and assessments, with special emphasis on English language development, secondary level language arts, and adult English as a second language. Coauthor with John Carr of the bestselling Map of Standards for English Learners, she is research associate for the Assessment and Standards Development Services program at WestEd.