The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the impact of a literacy-infused, inquiry-based science curriculum on English learners' (ELs') English oral language expressive skills as measured by the Woodcock Munoz Survey-Revised subtests: Picture Vocabulary and Verbal Analogies (Woodcock-Munoz-Sandoval, Ruef, & Alvarado, 2005). In…

In this study, we analyzed the perceptions of treatment teachers who participated in a randomized controlled trial study which targeted a science-infused literacy intervention, "Let's Talk Science," for first grade English language learner students. Three aspects, including the effectiveness of the intervention, details of instructional…

Few would argue the value of learning progressions in providing useful structures for selecting and sequencing in a developmental manner the key components of an 'intended curriculum'. Yet, there are pervading issues around what is meant by a developmental sequence, along with how they are used to assess what learners know, understand and can do.…

This study investigates how two newcomer students, Elena and Martin, identified with and in science within the context of a classroom utilizing a reform-based science curriculum where instruction occurred only in English. Using ethnographic case study methods, we drew from anthropological theories on identity development and sociocultural…

Science learning is inextricably tied to two aspects of students' lives: literacy and culture. While English Learners (ELs) who speak a non-English native language are typically the focus in this line of scholarly inquiry, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students occupy a distinct space in this conversation. For DHH learners, literacy levels can be…

Considering a Latin@ fifth-grade dual-language classroom (Spanish/English) as a community of practice, this paper explores how a bilingual teacher and her bilingual students, as members of such community, utilize translanguaging (García, 2009) as a learning and teaching tool in social studies and science classes. In this particular classroom, the…

Although literacy plays a large role in elementary science classrooms, one thing that offers a challenge for educators is meeting the linguistic needs of English language learners (ELLs) while also meeting their content needs. An additional challenge is ensuring that academic literacy extends beyond the classroom. This article presents ways of…

Recent reforms in education call for science teachers to incorporate STEM concepts into their curricula. This study explores the association among student and teacher demographics, and student learning of engineering content and attitudes towards STEM after participation in an elementary or middle school engineering-based science curricula.…

The California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS)--adopted in 2013--have the potential to improve scientific literacy and strengthen the global competitiveness of California's workforce. However, longstanding underinvestment in science education and the unprecedented disruptions caused by COVID-19 have heightened challenges faced by…

In today's inclusive classrooms, teachers are challenged to incorporate a variety of instructional activities designed to support learning for all--including children who are English Language Learners (ELLs). In science lessons at the early childhood level, ELLs not only must learn science concepts, but also the vocabulary essential for mastering…

Background: Current classroom practices have largely been shaped by changing student demographics, including English language learners (ELLs), and evolving accountability policies. The teacher professional development intervention in this study takes place against this backdrop. Research Questions: This study examined change in teachers' knowledge…

This quasi-experimental study examined effects of a 12-week, teacher-delivered, morphologically focused intervention on writing outcomes for fifth-grade U.S. students. In order to help students gain control over the morphologically complex words that typify academic writing, the intervention called students' attention to the morphological…

This paper will describe a five year research project of a teaching strategy whereby pre-service credential students at a southern California university were taught to develop and apply science curriculum to parents of elementary-aged English as a Second Language students. The paper will elaborate upon the importance of parental engagement in…

Emerging evidence indicates that culture influences pupils learning of science. However, the influence of culture on science learning is usually not considered when developing science curricular for both primary and secondary schools. This study investigated the extent to which primary and secondary school pupils believe in cultural…

In accordance with Oklahoma statutes, the State Board of Education reviews every 3 years the state curriculum for kindergarten through grade 12. This document details the priority academic skills for kindergarten, the core curriculum and the integrated curriculum for grades 1 through 12, and student assessment information and timelines. Part 1 of…