Playing Detectives: Where are the Language Objectives in Science and Social Studies Courses? Presented by: Gretchen Chaney, Title III Sheltered Instruction Facilitator Content and Language Objectives In Science and Social Studies Purpose to understand the importance of writing content and language objectives for each lesson and sharing them with English Language Learners everyday. Content Objective Participants will be able to: Explain the importance of including language and content objectives in lessons for English Language Learners (ELLs) Language Objectives Participants will be able to: Identify the difference between content and language objectives by developing them for lesson plans and using resources. Debate the inclusion of both kinds of objectives and use of supplementary materials. Preparation Features Clearly defined content objectives for students Clearly defined language objectives for students Content concepts appropriate for age and educational background. Supplementary materials used to a high degree, making the lesson clear and meaningful (e.g. graphs, models, visuals) Adaptation of content (e.g.text, assignment) to all levels of student proficiency. Meaningful activities that integrate lesson concepts (e.g. surveys, letter writing, simulations, constructing models) with language practice opportunities for reading, writing, listening, and/or speaking. What is a Language Objective? Reading Writing Listening Speaking Activity #1 Think-Pair-Share: What is the difference between content and language objectives? Reason language objectives are problematic: Content teachers do not know how to identify potential language objectives Content teachers do not have time to teach language Teaching language is often considered the role of the ESL teacher Content teachers do not know enough about their ELLs’ proficiency levels to determine appropriate language objectives. The SIOP enables teachers to help students overcome obstacles they face due to lack of language proficiency. What is difficult in Science for ELL’s? Discourse Structures Academic Language Skills Conceptual Understanding Study Skills Discourse structure may be very different from the students’ previous English experience. Grammatical forms and structures in textbooks become increasingly complex. All four academic language skills are required. Scientific misunderstandings are remarkably persistent Study skills are similar to those in language arts and social studies. Content and Language Objectives Example of a content objective for middle school science: (4) Scientific processes. The student knows how to use tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. TESOL Objective 2: The student will use English to achieve academically in content areas. What is difficult in Social Studies for ELL’s? Conceptual Understanding Vocabulary Language Functions and Discourse Structures Academic Language Skills Study Skills and Learning Strategies Curriculum assumes prior historical, geographical, and civic knowledge and culturally based values which may be unfamiliar to students. Specialized vocabulary often refers to abstract concepts. Discourse is primarily expository; language functions include both lower and higher-level thinking skills. Reading texts include sentences with multiple embedded clauses, complex past tense forms, and extensive use of pronouns. Decontextualized language is used in relationship to unfamiliar concepts. Students may have had little experience locating information, using maps and graphs, and using effective strategies for listening, reading, and writing. Content and Language Objectives (cont) Example of a content objective for middle school social studies: Social Studies Grades 8, 10, and 11 Obj. 1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of issues and events in U.S. history. TESOL Objective 2: The student will use English to achieve academically in content areas. Content and Language Objectives (cont) Example of a content objective for secondary social studies: Social Studies Grades 8, 10, and 11 Obj. 2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of geographic influences on historical issues and events. TESOL Objective 2: The student will use English to achieve academically in content areas. Content and Language Objectives Example of a content objective for science: Biology (12) Science concepts. The student knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an ecosystem. The student is expected to (E) investigate and explain the interactions in an ecosystem including food chains, food webs, and food pyramids. (Tested at grade 10) TESOL Objective 2: The student will use English to achieve academically in content areas. Activity #2 Participants will work in small groups to develop 3 language objectives for their content area Select one member of each group to share findings. What are some examples of reading objectives? Examples of writing objectives? Examples of listening objectives? Examples of speaking objectives? Question and Answer Wrap-up If your horse is dead, GET OFF! DEAD HORSE •Make a new plan! Works Cited Drs. Echavarria, J.,Vogt, M.E., and Short,D.(2000) Making Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners: The SIOP Model. Needham Heights, MD: Allyn & Bacon. Uhl Chamot, A. and J. Michael O'Malley. (1994) CALLA Handbook: Implementing the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Safe Science: Lab Safety Awareness. Unitedstreaming .Copyright ©2005 Discovery Education. 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