ERIC Number: EJ1381877
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: EISSN-1943-4812
Available Date: N/A
Toward Equity for Multilingual Learners: The Standards Offer a New Opportunity to Engage Multilingual Learners (MLLs) in Science
Reigh, Emily; Miller, Emily Adah; Simani, Maria Chiara; Severson, Alice
Science and Children, v60 n4 p26-29 Mar-Apr 2023
Since the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS) were released, K-12 science teachers have been figuring out how to extend related learning opportunities to all students, including multilingual learners (MLLs) who are new to speaking English. Elementary schools often prioritize math and English language arts, the subjects that are the primary focus of state testing, and may consequently pull students out of science for English language development. When MLLs are in the mainstream classroom, teachers may wonder how to support them in expansive forms of scientific sensemaking, including science practices (Bang et al. 2017). Without time and support to develop new pedagogical approaches, teachers may continue to use traditional strategies like structured language exercises, which often do not promote sensemaking. In this article, they demonstrate how the NGSS offer a new opportunity to see language development and science learning as mutually supportive, an approach that has the potential to support equity in science learning for MLLs (Reigh and Miller 2020). They present a sample activity structure for introducing phenomena that allows students to "simultaneously" develop language and engage in scientific sensemaking.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, English Language Learners, Multilingualism, Second Language Learning, Teaching Methods, Interdisciplinary Approach, Language Usage, Equal Education, Elementary Education
National Science Teaching Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: https://www.nsta.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A