Teaching Academic and Scientific Vocabulary

Summary

In this 6th grade science lesson, students explore the water cycle using diagrams to make informed predictions about the process. The teacher emphasizes the importance of academic vocabulary, encouraging students to break down terms like 'informed' and 'prediction' and use scientific language such as 'evaporation' and 'condensation.' By engaging with diagrams and vocabulary lists, students are taught not only to understand the scientific process but also to effectively communicate their findings. The focus is on helping students master both the scientific method and the language needed to discuss natural phenomena in an informed manner.

Takeaways

• 😀 The students are studying the water cycle in 6th grade science and using diagrams to make predictions about a demonstration.
• 😀 One of the main goals of the lesson is for students to explain why the water cycle happens.
• 😀 Another goal is for students to make informed predictions using diagrams and prior knowledge from vocabulary lists.
• 😀 The teacher breaks down the academic vocabulary in the learning target to help students understand the terms 'informed' and 'prediction'.
• 😀 The teacher encourages students to use scientific vocabulary, such as 'evaporation' instead of 'rising' and 'condensation' instead of 'coming down'.
• 😀 Students are learning how to apply scientific vocabulary to describe the water cycle and related phenomena.
• 😀 The teacher emphasizes the importance of both reading and writing in science for understanding concepts and communicating ideas.
• 😀 The vocabulary focus helps students access informational texts in science and enables them to speak and write effectively about the natural world.
• 😀 The teacher stresses the value of teaching students how to use scientific language in their daily lives and future learning.
• 😀 Students are encouraged to use resources, such as diagrams and vocabulary lists, to support their informed predictions during the lesson.

Q & A

What was the main learning target for the lesson?

The main learning target was to explain why the water cycle happens and to make informed predictions about it.

Why is understanding the academic vocabulary important in this lesson?

Understanding academic vocabulary helps students access and comprehend scientific texts, allowing them to make informed predictions and communicate more effectively about scientific concepts.

What strategies were used to help students understand the concept of being 'informed'?

One strategy used was breaking down the word 'informed' into its parts, particularly focusing on the 'in-' prefix meaning 'before' and using a dictionary as a resource to understand it.

How did the teacher encourage students to use scientific vocabulary?

The teacher encouraged students to use scientific terms like 'evaporation' instead of saying 'rising' and 'condensation' instead of saying 'coming down.' This approach aimed to familiarize students with the correct scientific language.

What role do diagrams and vocabulary lists play in making informed predictions?

Diagrams and vocabulary lists serve as valuable resources to help students make informed predictions. Students are encouraged to use both tools to enhance their understanding and predictions about the water cycle.

Why is it important for students to learn to read and write in science?

Learning to read and write in science is important because it helps students understand scientific content, engage with informational texts, and communicate effectively about the natural world.

What did the teacher emphasize about the use of scientific vocabulary during the lesson?

The teacher emphasized the importance of using precise scientific terms, such as 'water vapor' instead of 'steam,' to accurately describe observations in the water cycle.

What is the significance of using both the diagram and vocabulary list for students?

Using both the diagram and vocabulary list allows students to deepen their understanding by connecting visual representations of the water cycle with the scientific terms they have learned.

How did the teacher explain the process of condensation in the water cycle?

The teacher described condensation as the process where water vapor cools and forms droplets, which is a key part of the water cycle. The teacher also encouraged students to use this term instead of simply describing it as 'coming down.'

What are some of the benefits of teaching students the correct scientific vocabulary?

Teaching students the correct scientific vocabulary enables them to better understand scientific concepts, access scientific texts, and communicate effectively about natural phenomena, both in school and in their future careers.