Teaching Photosynthesis with ELL Students

ABSTRACT

Although the teaching of photosynthesis occurs yearly in elementary classrooms, one thing that makes it challenging is the inclusion of English language learners (ELLs). This article presents several activities for teaching and assessing of photosynthesis in a third grade classroom. The activities incorporate the photosynthesis content, teaching strategies, and assessment techniques appropriate for ELLs, as well as for English-speaking students.

KEYWORDS:

• assessment
• ELL students
• linguistic fluency
• photosynthesis

Notes

1. Throughout the lesson description “I” refers to the first author, Susan Piper.