Inquiry Project Proposal
Debra Blaine Project RIRAL
1. Can science experiments using the five sense help beginning ESL students improve their speaking and writing skills?
In most ESL classrooms, science is not taught. There are many reasons for this. Time is usually spent on grammar, life skills and the fours language skills. Many think that science is too difficult to teach in a limited English classroom, however, I believe that simple experiements using the five senses can improve students' speaking and writing.
2. What do you hope to accomplish as a result of exploring your question/problem?
I hope to accomplish many different things using this curriculum.
All people learn differently. Some hear or say something and know it, others read or write something and know it. Many people use a combination of these. The students who learn through kinesthetic means are often left behind in the adult ESL classroom because many lessons do not include any physical movement or action. This type of teaching is often used with children, but not adults. We don't want to insult our students, therefore we try to use an adult approach in our teaching. Yet, using lessons that incorporate some type of physical action may be helpful for all students. Science experiements using the 5 senses will hopefully help all students improve their English.
Before the actual experiments take place, I will teach any necessary grammar and vocabulary. Then, students will perform the experiments in groups. Each group will have a simple list of instructions and materials. Groups will conduct the experiment and chart their experiences. Students will report their experiences and finally write this information down in a journal. Each lesson will include reading and comprehension, speaking, reporting and writing.
I hope to see improvements in organizatiobn, sequencing, part tense very usgage, transitive and intrasitive verb usage, and clarity in speaking and writing. Most important, experiments will be interesting and fun.
3. What actions do you plan to undertake in order to address your question/problem ?
I plan to use one experiment per week (12-20 experiments total depending on what I find and time restraints). I will use the first month to research different experiments and collect materials and resources. The remaining time will be devoted to doing the experiments and ESL activities. I will compile the information at the end of the project.
4. How will you evaluate your progress with this project ?
I will evaluate students' work through observation of the following: reading and understanding instructions, working in a group, and speaking and reporting findings. I hope to videotape three of the experiements; one at the beginning, the middle, and the end to show improvement.
5. How will you share the results of your work with colleagues at the program(s) in which you intend to conduct the inquiry ?
I will be happy to share all experiments, ovservations and journals with other ESL teachers at RIRAL as well as those involved in the inquiry project. Copies of experiments and materials lists will be available.
interim report
April 3, 2000
My original question was: Can science experiments using the five senses help beginning ESL students improve their language skills?
I hope that simple experiments using some type of physical activity will help all of my students become more involved in their own learning and improve these skills.
Up to this point, my focus has not changed. So far, we have done
four experiments. Groups of students work together. They decide
which student does which task. Each group is given an instruction
sheet, supplies, and a
question sheet. They perform the experiment and answer the questions
together. We then come together as a class and discuss what happened
and why. After the discussion, each student free writes in his or
her "science journal." They can write about what took place, how
it relates to their lives, their impressions, etc. I collect the
journals, read them, and add remarks. I make corrections if they
ask me to do so.
Initially, the students weren't thrilled to hear that we were going
to do science experiments in class. However, I have been careful
to pick only fun and interesting activities. Most students now look
forward to these activities. Their observations and writing has improved.
Students are cooperating. I am happy to see this because we started
a new semester in March and I have 7 new students in the class. I
think that these activities have helped the new students become part of
the group.
There as been a change in student behavior, too. Two of my quieter
students are now actively involved in the class. One has taken on
the responsibility of leader in her group.
The only downside to this project are my three Russian students.
They are not interested in these activities and feel that they are "for
children." Unlike my other students, they had extensive university
math and science classes in Russia. I asked them to view these activities
not as science, but as a way to improve their speaking and writing.
I am hopeful that they will do this and continue to participate in this
project.
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