Supporting Science Education For English Learners: Promoting Effective Instructional Techniques
This study identified effective instructional strategies for the promotion of constructivist teaching of elementary science for English Learners. An expert review, pilot study and classroom observations were conducted in fifth grade classrooms of Hispanic and Filipino English Learners in a multicultural school district in the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California to identify and verify the effectiveness of particular English Language Development (ELD), constructivist instructional techniques in science instruction.
The researcher developed an evaluation instrument for elementary school administrators to promote constructivist teaching of elementary science for English learners. The repeated use of the instrument within the clinical supervision model resulted in increased frequency of ELD/SDAIE (English language development/specially designed academic instruction in English) methods and constructivist strategies in the elementary science classroom.
