Differentiation & Supports for English Language Learners
In order to reach as many students as possible, it is important to differentiate across lessons in a unit. As a whole this unit utilizes demonstrations led by students and instructors, technology based lessons, inquiry based lessons, and several opportunities for students to display their learning in creative and meaningful ways. This unit plays to the strengths of students with unique learning styles which aids the learning of all of the students in the classroom. Supports for English Language Learners intertwined throughout the lesson also aid the learning of all the students in the classroom.
One specific differentiation technique is found in the lesson on Arid Climate Zones where students are encouraged to display their knowledge of Arid Climate Regions through an artistic display of their vision of deserts. English Language Learners are given a meaningful learning experience by associating a physical representation of deserts with their understanding. Students will participate in a “Writing to Learn” activity by doing short research on a desert plant or animal and explaining how the organisms’ adaptations account for the extreme climate. Writing to learn promotes more focused consideration of content. By considering why specific organisms have specific adaptations, students will be working through their understanding of Arid Climates.
Additional supports for English Language Learners are in place throughout the unit in the form of working in groups of students. The many opportunities offered for students to work in groups allow students to rely on each other to learn and create flipped classroom videos and work through student led demonstrations of how greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere. Additionally the student led demonstration of how greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere give ELL students opportunities to associate physical phenomenon and their effects with a scientific comment. This activity also aids tactile learners who will also benefit from this hands-on-demonstration. Taking measurements and recording data will keep tactile learners engaged.
Finally to aid ELL students as well as visual learners I plan to project a news article related to Climate Change to help outline how important the topic of Climate Change is to their lives and the well being of the planet. By projecting the article on a screen and highlighting the important points students can see the text and notice the obvious important points highlighted by the instructor.