TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding the Development of a Hybrid Practice of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction and Language Development
T2 - A Case Study of One Teacher’s Journey Through Reflections on Classroom Practice
AU - Capitelli, Sarah
AU - Hooper, Paula
AU - Rankin, Lynn
AU - Austin, Marilyn
AU - Caven, Gennifer
PY - 2016/4/1
Y1 - 2016/4/1
N2 - This qualitative case study looks closely at an elementary teacher who participated in professional development experiences that helped her develop a hybrid practice of using inquiry-based science to teach both science content and English language development (ELD) to her students, many of whom are English language learners (ELLs). This case study examines the teacher’s reflections on her teaching and her students’ learning as she engaged her students in science learning and supported their developing language skills. It explicates the professional learning experiences that supported the development of this hybrid practice. Closely examining the pedagogical practice and reflections of a teacher who is developing an inquiry-based approach to both science learning and language development can provide insights into how teachers come to integrate their professional development experiences with their classroom expertise in order to create a hybrid inquiry-based science ELD practice. This qualitative case study contributes to the emerging scholarship on the development of teacher practice of inquiry-based science instruction as a vehicle for both science instruction and ELD for ELLs. This study demonstrates how an effective teaching practice that supports both the science and language learning of students can develop from ongoing professional learning experiences that are grounded in current perspectives about language development and that immerse teachers in an inquiry-based approach to learning and instruction. Additionally, this case study also underscores the important role that professional learning opportunities can play in supporting teachers in developing a deeper understanding of the affordances that inquiry-based science can provide for language development.
AB - This qualitative case study looks closely at an elementary teacher who participated in professional development experiences that helped her develop a hybrid practice of using inquiry-based science to teach both science content and English language development (ELD) to her students, many of whom are English language learners (ELLs). This case study examines the teacher’s reflections on her teaching and her students’ learning as she engaged her students in science learning and supported their developing language skills. It explicates the professional learning experiences that supported the development of this hybrid practice. Closely examining the pedagogical practice and reflections of a teacher who is developing an inquiry-based approach to both science learning and language development can provide insights into how teachers come to integrate their professional development experiences with their classroom expertise in order to create a hybrid inquiry-based science ELD practice. This qualitative case study contributes to the emerging scholarship on the development of teacher practice of inquiry-based science instruction as a vehicle for both science instruction and ELD for ELLs. This study demonstrates how an effective teaching practice that supports both the science and language learning of students can develop from ongoing professional learning experiences that are grounded in current perspectives about language development and that immerse teachers in an inquiry-based approach to learning and instruction. Additionally, this case study also underscores the important role that professional learning opportunities can play in supporting teachers in developing a deeper understanding of the affordances that inquiry-based science can provide for language development.
KW - Elementary science
KW - English language development
KW - English language learners
KW - Inquiry-based science
KW - Professional development
KW - Teacher development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84960116283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84960116283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10972-016-9460-9
DO - 10.1007/s10972-016-9460-9
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84960116283
SN - 1046-560X
VL - 27
SP - 283
EP - 302
JO - Journal of Science Teacher Education
JF - Journal of Science Teacher Education
IS - 3
ER -