ERIC Number: EJ1164201
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1089-9995
EISSN: N/A
Using Inquiry and Tenets of Multicultural Education to Engage Latino English-Language Learning Students in Learning about Geology and the Nature of Science
Meyer, Xenia S.; Capps, Daniel K.; Crawford, Barbara A.; Ross, Robert
Journal of Geoscience Education, v60 n3 p212-219 Aug 2012
Traditional school science instruction has been largely unsuccessful in reaching diverse student groups and students from, in particular, underrepresented backgrounds. This paper presents a case study of an urban, dual-language middle school classroom in which the teacher used an alternative instructional approach, involving her students in an authentic geological investigation with fossils. In this instructional setting, the teacher successfully engaged her English-language learning students from Latino backgrounds in science learning through inquiry, instructionally congruent science teaching strategies, and explicit instruction in nature of science. Students participating in the geological investigation interacted with practicing scientists. This instructional approach modeled the activities of science and better connected diverse students to the scientific community of practice. The practices used in this classroom provide a compelling example of how science instruction can be carried out in a way that makes science accessible despite linguistic differences and engages students in the activities of science, who otherwise might not be.
Descriptors: Geology, Scientific Principles, Minority Group Students, Urban Schools, Bilingual Education, Middle School Students, Middle School Teachers, Teaching Methods, English Language Learners, Hispanic American Students, Learner Engagement, Inquiry, Scientists, Science Activities, Program Effectiveness, Direct Instruction, Case Studies, Participant Observation, Grade 5, At Risk Students, Low Income Groups, Immigrants, Paleontology, Pretests Posttests, Video Technology, Curriculum Development
National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Carleton College W-SERC, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Tel: 540-568-6675; Fax: 540-568-8058; e-mail: jge@jmu.edu; Website: http://nagt-jge.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: NSF733233