ERIC Number: EJ1183981
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2374-7404
EISSN: N/A
Literacy & Arts Integration in Science: Engaging English Language Learners in a Lesson on Mixtures and Solutions
Casey, J. Elizabeth; Mireles, Selina V.; Viloria, Maria de Lourdes; Garza, Ester
Texas Journal of Literacy Education, v6 n1 p51-69 Sum 2018
Students who struggle with vocabulary knowledge often see a decline in comprehension of content. Even students who receive strong reading instruction in the early elementary years may still experience the fourth-grade slump (Chall, 1983), which more often affects students from underserved populations. Many of those same students are also affected by the 30-million word gap (Hart & Risley, 2003), or the difference in the number of words heard by young children in homes from varying socioeconomic statuses. When working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, it is important to provide opportunities for conversations that allow students to draw on their own cultural wealth (Au, 2000; González, Moll, & Amanti, 2006; Moje, McIntosh Ciechanowski, Kramer, Ellis, Carrillo, & Collazo, 2004; Yosso, 2005). In a recent pilot study, fifth-grade students engaged in Reciprocal Teaching (RT) (Palincsar & Brown, 1984) strategies to determine effective supports for English language learners (ELLs) when reading expository text. Multiple science lessons were developed and embedded with RT strategies. Two additional components were added to a lesson on mixtures and solutions: arts integration and literacy integration. This lesson further supported ELLs' comprehension of content material. Students in both classrooms had mixed levels of English proficiency, but all ELLs spoke Spanish as their first language. The use of RT supported students' active engagement in learning, vocabulary acquisition, and academic growth. Researchers' analysis of student-participants' assessments and engagement, across multiple lessons, demonstrated students had increased understanding of content, particularly students with higher English proficiency. However, a lesson on mixtures and solutions provided a more engaging learning environment and practical application of new content knowledge for students by adding literacy and arts integration; this lesson will be the focus of this article.
Descriptors: English Language Learners, Vocabulary, Content Area Reading, Science Instruction, Spanish Speaking, Language Proficiency, Cooperative Learning, Culturally Relevant Education, Language Usage, Metacognition, Critical Thinking, Inquiry, STEM Education, Elementary School Students, Hispanic American Students, Grade 5, Learner Engagement, Program Effectiveness, Observation, Pretests Posttests, Interviews, Notetaking
Texas Journal of Literacy Education. Sam Houston State University, 1908 Bobby Marks Drive Box 2119, Huntsville, TX 77341. Web site: http://www.texasreaders.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A