ERIC Number: EJ849838
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-185X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Improving Achievement for Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners through an Inquiry-Based Earth Systems Curriculum
Lambert, Julie; Ariza, Eileen N. Whelan
Journal of Elementary Science Education, v20 n4 p61-79 Fall 2008
This report describes an inquiry-based Earth systems curriculum and strategies for teaching diverse students, which were embedded in the curriculum. The curriculum was implemented with 5th-grade students with varied linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds in five schools in a large, southeastern U.S., urban school district. At the end of the school year, all schools showed statistically significant improvement on two assessments: (1) an Earth systems unit test and (2) a sample of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) items. Students' perspectives regarding the cognitive and affective domains of the curriculum are discussed as are implications of the findings and recommendations for future research. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Urban Schools, Science Instruction, Science Education, Elementary School Science, Inquiry, Student Diversity, Culturally Relevant Education, Curriculum Implementation, Grade 5, Achievement Gains, Science Tests, Science Achievement, Instructional Effectiveness, Student Improvement, Earth Science, Second Language Learning, English (Second Language)
Western Illinois University. Document and Publications Services, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Tel: 309-298-1917; Fax: 309-298-2869; e-mail: DPS@wiu.edu; Web site: http://www.wiu.edu/users/jese/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; Grade 5
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A