Adapting Textbook and Activities in Science

Tom Scruggs, Margo A. Mastropieri, Jennifer Norland, Pam Simpkins

George Mason UniversityJanet Graetz

Oakland University• Papers presented at the annual meeting of the Council for Exceptional

Children, New Orleans, April 15, 2004.• Tscruggs@gmu.edu, mmastrop@gmu.edu, jnorland@gmu.edu,

pam.simkins@fcps.edu, graetz@oakland.edu

Approaches to Science Instruction

Textbook• high language

demands• high literacy demands• substantial vocabulary• abstract content• high factual learning

demands• factual recall on tests

Activities-oriented• reduced language • reduced literacy • reduced vocabulary• hands-on experiences

& “enactments”• minimal testing• performance-based

testing

Textbook Challenges

• Increase in difficulty with grade level• Discrepancy between reading level of

students and readability of textbooks (Kinder, Bursuck & Epstein, 1992)

• Breadth vs Depth of Coverage• Unfriendly nature of textbooks (Armbruster &

Anderson,1988)

• Introduction of large number of vocabulary words (Yager, 1983)

Secondary Science

• Typical instructional formats– Lecture to entire class with discussion– Lab activities with partners– Rapid pace of teacher presentations– Rapid pace through textbook– One class period for lab work– Tests and quizzes administered on chapter by

chapter and unit basis linked to high stakes state wide tests

Effective Instruction

• Maximized student engagement• Direct questioning directly relevant to

objectives• High rate of responding• Step-by-step instruction• Frequent monitoring of learner progress

toward meeting prespecified objectives (House et al., 1978; Rosenshine & Stevens, 1986)

PASS Variables

• Prioritize Objectives

• Adapt materials, environment, and instruction

• SCREAM variables– structure, clarity, redundancy, enthusiasm,

appropriate rate, maximize engagement

• Systematic evaluation

Strategies for Adapting Textbook Approaches to Science Learning

• Textbook Selection• Mnemonic strategies

– IT FITS Strategy

• Text-processing strategies– Powerpoint– Framed Outlines– Spatial Organizers– TRAVEL strategy– Text structure processing

• Classwide wide peer tutoring

Criteria for Selecting Textbooks

Did I ...

• Consider adequacy of content coverage? • Evaluate

– readability– text structure– text coherence– instructional strategies – assessment procedures– attractiveness– supplemental materials– practice activities?

The Keyword Strategy

• Helpful for learning science vocabulary

• Steps in using the keyword method:

– Recode unfamiliar word to an acoustically similar but familiar word or keyword.

– Relate the the keyword in an interactive picture with the to-be-remembered information

– Retrieve the new definition by thinking of the keyword and what was happening in the interactive picture

 

IT FITS Strategy*

Identify the termTell the definition of the termFind a keyword Imagine the definition doing something with the

keywordThink about the definition doing something with the

keywordStudy what you imagined until you know the definition *King-Sears, M.E., Mercer, C.D., & Sindelar, P.T. (1992). Toward independence with keyword mnemonics: A strategy for science vocabulary instruction. Remedial and Special

Education, 13, 22-33.

PowerPoint Presentations

• Help focus attention• Reinforce vocabulary, important points• Highlight concepts and relationships• Add colors, pictures, animation and/or sound• Interactive, requires student responses• Highlight steps in activities• Students can create their own PowerPoint

presentations

Graphic Organizers

• Inspiration or Kidspiration software– Down load free 30 version at inspiration.com

• Draw with crayons

• Use Power point or other software

Main Idea Strategy

1. What are you studying the passage for?

2. Find the main idea in the paragraph and underline it/them.

3. Think of a question about the main idea you have underlined.

4. Learn the answer to your question.5. Always look back at the questions and

answers

Sample Summarization Strategy (Malone & Mastropieri)

• Read the paragraph - ask and answer:

– Who or what is it about?– What is happening to them?

• Use those answers to write a summary sentence

– tells what the whole paragraph is about

• Use self-monitoring card

Text-Structure Based Strategies

• Main idea strategy (find & underline, write down, & study information)

• List strategy (find & underline topic of passage, write down topic/subtopic, study information)

• Order strategy sequential (find & underline main topic, write down what was different for each step in passage, study information)

Highlighting Self-Monitoring

Did I examine my book for boldfaced print, types of subheadings, charts, maps, or figures?

Did I find important information by asking and answering questions:-is it new information?-is it a new concept?-is it a new vocabulary word?-does it describe important people or events?-does it list causes of events or things?

-is it a main idea?

-does it compare and contrast things?

-did my teacher emphasize it?

Did I select information to be highlighted?

Did I highlight it?

Did I test myself on the highlighted information by asking and answering questions about the highlighted information?

Did I reward myself for good strategy use?

Tutoring Condition Materials

• Rules and Procedures for Tutoring

• Folders containing strategy sheets– What is …– A strategy to help you remember– What else is important about . ?– What is an example of --- ?

• Student recording sheets

Scientific Process Skills

– Observing, – Classifying– Predicting– Comparing– Contrasting – Charting, Graphing, Recording Data

Various Science Activities

• Measuring and pouring• Mapping• Invention and discovery• Kits and models• Human anatomy• Plants and animals• Astronomy• Force and motion• Physics of sound• Solids, liquids, gases

• Microscopes• Powders, mixtures and

solutions• Weather• Water activities• Rocks, minerals and

fossils• Earth science, landforms• Magnetism and electricity• Light and color

Problem Solving

• Very structured and guided instruction

• Build ecosystem and observe plant, animal growth & interactions with environment

• Predict effects of acid rain, too much salt, too much fertilizer on your ecocolumn

• PORC = predict, observe, record, compare

• Minimal insight required for success

• Disability specific adaptations made

Disability-Specific Adaptations

• Vocabulary check-sheets

• Modified worksheets

• Communication boards

• Teacher and peer assistance with reading tasks

• Special matching of peers in small groups

• Testing adaptations - oral and transcribed

Adapt, but Increase Interest

• Concrete lessons• Meaningful lessons• Hands-on materials• Illustrations• Discrepant events• Use novelty to involve students

Summary

• Tension exists between demands of high stakes testing and teaching students with disabilities in inclusive classes

• A variety of evidence-based techniques have improved performance– Extend interaction and practice with text

• Text adaptations

– Use strategies with peer tutors– Enhance meaningfulness and concreteness – Use activities to enhance meaningfulness

• Adapt activities to ensure success