science strategies for ELL learners

I like how this article gave 6 strategies to use when teaching science to ELL students. The first strategy is to make ELLs included members of your class. This includes learning how to say ... See More

I like how this article gave 6 strategies to use when teaching science to ELL students. The first strategy is to make ELLs included members of your class. This includes learning how to say their names with a reasonable amount of pronunciation. It is best to not ask ELL students if we can use a nickname since this may have them feel invisible in your class. Using your students name shows that you respect them. The second strategy is to give students opportunities to produce oral language in situations where they can succeed. Teachers should provide a number of supports so that ELLs can confidently respond in class and provide contributions. The third strategy is to provide key terms of the unit in a readily accessible location. Many ELLs struggle to articulate concepts if they do not have access to the English terms for the words they need. One common way to provide these words is by using a word wall. The fourth strategy is to recognize that the words that show up on the word walls are not the only one important to conceptual understanding. Teachers can help by calling attention to words like prepositions by using graphic organizers. The fifth strategy is to use the learning cycle to increase comprehension and ground language. We can do this by beginning class with experiences which helps all students have a foundation to build understanding. Finally, the sixth strategy is to use alternative assessments. In science, we do not have to give a pencil and paper test, children can show their understanding through models, projects, simulations, demonstrations, drawings, and conversations. These strategies will not only help ELL students, but also non-ELL students as well. This article focuses more on how to teach science effectively to ELL students without making them feel left out, so the NGSS aren’t discussed much throughout the article. This article does have a section discussing the strategy of using alternative assessments for ELL students. I don’t believe there are any shortfalls to this article.

ELLS

The article suggests several fantastic strategies which can help English language learners have a better learning experience in science class, and those strategies also benefit the non-Engli... See More

The article suggests several fantastic strategies which can help English language learners have a better learning experience in science class, and those strategies also benefit the non-English learner, which can improve the teaching quality of the whole inclusion class. The author focuses on some detailed things which is based on the psychological considerations of the English language learners. For example, the author suggests that the teacher should learn to pronounce the names of ELLs accurately and try to call their names in the class. Therefore, the ELLs will feel that they are included in this class and not invisible, it also will encourage the non-ELLs to get familiar with their classmates. Besides, the author advocates giving the ELLs the opportunity to participate in response or make a contribution in class. The teacher can give students some support such as asking them to practice talking in the group discussion and then share their opinions with the whole class, which will make the ELLs more confident. Moreover, word walls is a good way to support the ELLs, and this strategy will be very helpful for the visual learners who are non-ELLs in the class as well. As far as I am concerned, this is a great article which provides many useful strategies I can use in my future class, especially making the ELLs part of the class. In my class, I will try my best to remember every student’s name and say their names correctly. I also will provide the ELLs and the non-ELLs with the same opportunities to participate in the classroom. However, to help ELLs be more confident in the class, I will give them more targeted support. When they are answering the questions, I will pay more emphasis on their understanding rather than their language using. Besides, I think word walls is an interesting way to use in my class. I can choose the key terms of the lesson and display them in the classroom. With the support of those key terms, I believe the ELLs will grasp and articulate the science concepts better.