SCIENCE BACKGROUND FOR ESL STUDENTS

​The Living Environment Regents is never an easy test, but ​for English As A Second Language students it is often even more difficult. Lacking the exposure to science television shows and visits to the zoo and aquarium, they are often at a disadvantage to their general education peers and may struggle with making connections to classroom science content.
Using funding from the Foundation, teachers were able to buy DVDs such as the Human Planet and Planet Earth. Students will be assigned videos to watch at home every week and assignments to complete. If necessary, they can watch the videos in their native language using subtitles and if they do not have access to a DVD player, portable devices will be available for them to take home. The videos will help in leveling the playing field by creating a vast assortment of science background knowledge which students can pull from to make classroom content connections.
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