Activity 8: Learning Strategies for Students with Limited English Proficiency

1. Point out new vocabulary in context. Practice using the words as much as possible.

2. It is very important not only for the English Learners (ELs) but also for all the students to understand the safety precautions when dealing with chemicals in the laboratory. The words associated with safe handling of chemicals as well as those that should never be done should be explained very thoroughly.

3. For homework, have the students draw the procedures for the experiment. A visual representation always helps the students have a clearer understanding of the experiment. With their homework in hand, have the students in the groups that they are going to do the experiment compare drawings and adopt the best drawing that truly depicts the experimental procedures.

4. Have the students work in groups of four. Each student assumes a role from the four possible responsibilities – reader, clarifier, questioner, and summarizer. The reader reads what the book says and at the same time records what the group’s answers are to the questions. The clarifier takes note of unfamiliar words that need to be made clear for the group to have a better understanding of the reading material. The questioner reminds the group of the questions that need to be answered like those found in For You To Do.

This student also writes down any possible question that the group can think of. The summarizer draws the concepts that the group was able to learn in the activity.