HOW TO USE EL STRATEGIES TO TEACH PHYSICS

BY: JOSEPH ARCHIVAL

Physics is an EL’s nightmare!!!

“How am I supposed to see through all of these?!”

Reading -comprehension

-vocabulary (at least 200 terms)

Math -Algebra

- Trigonometry

Science -Chemistry

-Physical Science

Physics

BUT….¤ I DON’T have the silver bullet to solve all of the E.L. teacher classroom problems!¤ I DON’T have a perfect strategy that is so effective that you just have to follow… 

However….

Here’s my twist…Being culturally sensitive by:

1) Reducing Cognitive Load2) Reducing Cultural Load3) Reducing Language Load

…you already know this I know…but I do it with a personal touch. So keep your comments to yourself…ssshhhh!!!

Note: I don’t make a separate lesson for English only speakers and another lesson for English Language Learners….NO. NO. NO. I make A lesson with the EL in mind.

1. Pre-Reading Vocabulary (HW worksheet) - First contact

Chapter 3: Kinematics in two dimensionsTerms:2. Vector Quantity3. Scalar Quantity4. Resultant Vector5. Projectile Motion6. Free-fall7. Terminal Velocity8. Drag Force9. Projectile Range10. Vector component11. Maximum height12. Gravitational acceleration

Key Concepts:13. How is the horizontal component different from the vertical component of an object

following a parabolic path?14. Why is NW not the same as N of W?15. Why do objects being launch at an angle demonstrate a parabolic path?16. At hmax what is the object’s acceleration? What is its Vx? What is its Vy?17. Why is Vx = Vy in a parabolic motion?18. When shooting at a target from a certain distance, why is it NOT advisable to aim

straight at it (or the bullseye)?

Equations:

2. Modified T.P.R. (Total Physical Response) - Multiple Intelligence

Ex. Inertia is the reluctance of an object to change its state of rest or of uniform motion. It is a property of an object NOT a force.

Any volunteers?

3. DIAGRAMING- Converting abstract into concrete

4. Units as cues - Tools to succeed

“I have to stop searching for the perfect strategy and focus on equipping them with survival tools to give them one little win at a time. And with every little win, maybe…just maybe, they will hang in there a little longer until they become more confident and eventually succeed.”

5. AVID strategy: Vocabulary Tables- need I say more?

Give them a tool to succeed one lesson at a time. Don’t sweat on perfecting a strategy, but by giving them a glimmer of hope – a

chance to gain confidence. - (yeah, I said it!)

And If it requires making a fool of yourself in front of your students...then remember that

“One day your life will flash before your eyes, so make sure it’s worth watching.” -

Gerard Way

REMEMBER THIS: