ELL Science Adventures

Why we do it: Learning English is . . . complicated

★Grammar

★Vocabulary

★Idioms

★Dialects

★Pronunciation

★Spelling

Why we do it?

Clear Communication is important!

Science What?•An experiential science preparatory program developed for ELLs in 2004 to address science content language and concepts. •Science Adventures began with a focus on serving 15 grade 7 students•Since that time it has been expanded to include ELLs in grades 4-10, annually serving over 100 students.

Why we do it the way we do it?

Why we do it•Lower anxiety level in this learning environment•Experience is a great teacher: Value of teaching English in non-traditional settings•Socioeconomic challenges related to language acquisition impact access to learning venues•Cultural factors •Gaps in language related to content area performance

Program OverviewGeneral information: ●Summer school course 4 weeks (20 days)●Offered to incoming 4th grade-10th grade●Pre-exposure to science curriculum for the upcoming school year●Integration of literacy, with extended opportunities to promote disciplinary literacy in science

Student recruitment•Offered to all students receiving ELL services in grades served by the program•Teacher/student meetings & policy review•Parent open houseoRecognize cultural concernsoProvide parents with the opportunity to develop

a level of comfort with the program

Content●Units based on upcoming grade level science curriculum●Vocabulary aligned with science topics●Establishing the baseline: pre and post assessments ●Use of informational text●Hands-on learning

Literacy IntegrationReading●Fluency ●Vocabulary instruction●Comprehension instruction

Writing●Journaling●Summarization●Research

Thematic Overview4th Grade - Motion and Design, Electricity, Plants, Astronomy5th Grade - Color and Light, Microworlds, Ecosystems, Floating and Sinking6th Grade - Chemical Interactions, Astronomy, Simple Machines, Forces in Motion7th Grade -Ecology - Plants and Animals, Organisms, Cell Genetics and Heredity8th Grade - Earth Science, Astronomy, Meteorology, Oceanography9th / 10th Grade - Biology Life Science

4th Grade Curriculum

PLANTS

MOTION AND DESIGN

Design Force

ACCELERATION

ELECTRICITY

ENERGYCircuits

ASTRONOMY

DECOMPOSERS

PRODUCERS

CONSUMERS

ECOSYSTEMS

5th Grade CurriculumMICROWORLDS

ORGANISMS

Floating and Sinking

Pollution Oil Spill

Density

Displacement

COLOR

and

LIGHT

6th Grade Curriculum

SIMPLE MACHINES

Fulcrum

Resistance

Effort

Motion

CHEMICAL INTERACTIONS

7th Grade CurriculumReproduction

Adaptation

Classification

DiversityGenetics

HeredityPLANTS

ANIMALS

8th Grade Curriculum

Oceanography

Earth’s InternalProcesses

Geological Time

Hydrology

MeteorologyAstronomy

Earth’s Science

Geology

Environment

LIFE SCIENCE

ORGANISMS

Sustainability

Population

Adaptations

Biodiversity

Carrying Capacity

Ecology

Limiting Factor

Cells

9th/10th Grade Curriculum

Biology

Special Learning Opportunities

●Directly applying learning to real world situations●Developing background knowledge to better access academic content●Unique experiences that allow them to relate in a similar fashion to their peers who have had the experiences●Increase self-confidence in academic and social settings

On the road again: Field Trips

4th grade: Community Garden, Barnes and Noble5th grade: Sea Life Sleepover at Mall of America6th grade: Chemical Interactions at Energy Incinerator 7th grade: Eagle Bluff Environmental Center (5 days, 4 nights)8th grade: Earth Science-Black Hills/Badlands9th/10th: Yellowstone and Physics at Valley Fair

River Ecosystems

USGS Mississippi River

Sea Life

Student Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Pictures from Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota.

Yellowstone

The Next Great Adventure Is Just Over The Horizon