Publication Date
10-2019
Abstract
To equalize access to science learning across genders and demographic groups, access to the disciplinary language of science is one place to start. The language of science is highly challenging and specialized, and difficulties acquiring this language contribute to disparities in science achievement across diverse student groups. This study used a pre-post design to analyze effectiveness of a brief classroom science vocabulary assessment designed to assess receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge across multiple sections of one 7th grade science teacher’s class. Vocabulary was selected and analysis conducted by an interdisciplinary research partnership including the science teacher, a literacy specialist, and a scientist. The resulting model presents an assessment that evaluates receptive knowledge and productive use of science language and reinforces vocabulary theory: learning words is incremental and multidimensional, and assessment should address this specialized skill in principled, disciplined ways.
Recommended Citation
Hayden, H., Singh, A., & Baird, M. E. (2019). Gaining Access to the Language of Science: A Research Partnership for Disciplined, Discursive Ways to Select and Assess Vocabulary Knowledge. Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts, 58 (2). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/reading_horizons/vol58/iss2/2
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons
