Stanford University

Education 377
Culture and Content Instruction
Spring, 2002

Instructors: Kenji Hakuta (hakuta@stanford.edu) and
Albert Lozano (alozano@stanford.edu)
Technology Specialist: Teresa Cameron (tac@stanford.edu)

SFUSD Director: Melanie Hahn (Melanie Hahn (melhahn@earthlink.net)
SFUSD On-line Facilitator: Annie Rodriguez (LaAnnieRodriguez@aol.com)
See Class Photos

This course has three objectives:
(1) to supplement last quarter's coverage of ESL teaching with additional focus on issues of reading and writing [Weeks 1-3, see attached webpage for further instructions];
(2) to provide a framework for developing and observing sheltered instruction, or SDAIE methodology [Weeks 4-8]; and
(3) to cover issues related to relevant student cultural background [Weeks 7, 9].

We are currently taking a poll of students to see how many on-site classes to have. Minimally, we have reserved Weeks 3, 4, and 10 to be face-to-face meetings.

We are once again making use of Teachscape materials and services. During Weeks 1-3, we will be looking into the case, Reading and Writing for English Language Learners. Unlike last quarter, however, we will begin by providing students with an opportunity to explore around the various features and pockets of information within the case, and to have some choice in the activities they choose to do.

On Week 3, we will also introduce students the opportunity to be trained in creating a web page (an important 21st century literacy skill) and to start the Culture assignment.

Coverage of Sheltered Instruction will be facilitated by the use of Teachscape cases once again. The specific framework we will be using in this course, the SIOP Model (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) will be used to analyze the ways in which two different content teachers approach the instruction of English learners. One case covers science on the topic of density; the other case involves the teaching of probability and statistics. You will be asked to choose one of these for your analysis, which will be done during Weeks 5-7. After you have done so, on Week 8, you will be asked to look at the analyses of the one that you did not do, and to offer peer commentary on it.

During Week 9, you will be asked to explore the Culture Gallery -- the web pages created by the class, which we will post -- and to offer commentary on the content.

Week 10 will be an on-site class where we will review the content of the entire three-course sequence. It will also be an opportunity to have a "graduation" ceremony and party.

Required Course Textbook:

J. Echevarria, M. Vogt, & D. Short, Making Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners: The SIOP Model. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Click here for Amazon link.

Week 1: Tuesday, April 2:
Exploring Teachscape Case: Reading and Writing for English Language Learners.

Readings: Brown, Chapters 18 & 19. [Click here for weeks 1-3 webpage for detailed assignment.]
Week 2: Tuesday, April 9:
Threaded discussion of Selected Activities from Reading and Writing for English Language Learners.
Re-scan: Brown, Chapters 18 & 19.
Week 3: Tuesday, April 16: On-site 4:00 - 6:00
Writer's Workshop. (Guest Lecturer: Lydia Stack).

Week 4: Tuesday, April 23: On-site 4:00 - 7:00 (last hour web page class optional -- Balboa HS, room 128)
1.Sheltered Instruction / SIOP Model (Guest Lecturer: George Bunch).
2.Web Page Design (Hands-on training for later culture component of the course).

Read by class time: Echevarria et al, Chapters 1, 2 and Appendix A & B.
Culture Assignment (to be completed by May 27).

Week 5: Tuesday, April 30:
Applying SIOP to Teachscape Videos:
1.Data Analysis and Probability: Measures of Center OR
2.Investigating Density.

Carefully watch each of the video chapters from the case that you have selected to analyze using the SIOP framework. It is advised that you "browse through" the videos before doing this week's reading, and then go back and selectively watch the videos again after the readings. You may want to do this with a fellow classmate or a colleague.

This week, apply SIOP Model, Chapter 2 (Indicators of Lesson Preparation) to the video. We will have specific topic areas for each corresponding chapter. Rate the case using the SIOP framework for each specific question, then below provide a descriptive analysis of how you came to your conclusions. Post your evaluation under appropriate topic heading -- Data Analysis - Week 5 or Investigating Density - Week 5 -- by Tuesday, April 30th. Respond with comments on your colleagues’ ratings by Friday, May 3rd.

Example of your analysis -
SUBJECT HEADING: DA-Ch.2 Indicators of Lesson Preparation

Clearly defined content objectives for students – 3
Clearly defined language objectives for students – 1
Content concepts appropriate for age and educational background of students – 5
Supplementary materials used to a high degree – 1
Adaptation of content (e.g., text, assignment) to all levels of student proficiency – n/a
Meaningful activities that integrate lesson concepts – 2

I feel (Mrs. Sahakian / Mrs. Kell) did a good job of building prior knowledge though pre-reading activities, but did not address students’ varying levels of reading proficiency [you, of course, will present a much more in-depth analysis].

Week 6: Tuesday, May 7:
Continued Application of SIOP to the Case of Your Choice.
This week, apply the SIOP Model in Chapter 3 (Building Background) & Chapter 4 (Comprehensible Input). Post your evaluation by Tuesday, May 7th.
Respond with comments on your colleagues' ratings by Friday, May 10th.
Week 7: Tuesday, May 14:
Continued Application of SIOP to the Case of Your Choice. And, discuss Student Cultural Background in SIOP.
This week, apply the SIOP Model in Chapter 6 (Interaction), Chapter 7 (Practice/Application), & Chapter 8 (Lesson Delivery). Post your evaluation by Tuesday, May 14th. Respond with comments on your colleagues' ratings by Friday, May 17h.

Participate in group discussion threads under Data Analysis - Culture and Investigating Density - Culture in which you discuss the extent to which the case incorporated student culture, and things that the teacher could have done to further incorporate student culture into her teaching.

Week 8: Tuesday, May 21:
Comparison of TS Density and TS Data Analysis.

The purpose of this week is to do a cross-case analysis, by watching the video of the case you did not analyze, and by reading the evaluations of that case by members of the class who were part of that "other" discussion. Watch that video (i.e., if you did Density, view Data Analysis and vice versa). Then go and read the discussions from Weeks 5, 6, and 7 by the other group. At the end of each of these threads, provide relevant commentary and/or perspective from the case in which you did the analysis.

Week 9: Tuesday, May 28:
On-line Gallery on Culture.
Complete webpages. View and comment on peer sites.
Week 10: Tuesday, June 4: On-Site 4:00 - 6:00
Wrap-up for the Year.
 

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