Unit overview
The following science unit of work uses the Teaching and Learning Cycle to help students build content science knowledge, while extending skills in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Teacher support for vocabulary development will vary according to students’ current knowledge. It is important to note that this unit will encompass a wide range of technical vocabulary, related to minibeasts. Consideration will need to be given to students from EAL/D backgrounds and to those students whose experience with ‘minibeasts’ is limited. Writing a cyclical explanation is a major focus of this unit.
References
Derewianka, B. & Jones, P. (2016). Teaching language in context (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
Humphrey, S. (2017). Academic literacies in the Middle Years: A framework for enhancing teacher knowledge and student achievement. New York and London: Routledge.
Humphrey, S. & Feez, S. (2016). Direct instruction fit for purpose: applying a metalinguistic toolkit to enhance creative writing in the early secondary years. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 39(3), 207-219.