This is a powerpoint presentation that I shared with our teachers (during staff development) to make sure that EL students can succeed in a rigorous science class like Physics.

1. Physics is an EL’s nightmare!!!
“How am I supposed to see through all of these?!”
Reading
-comprehension
-vocabulary (at
least 200 terms)
Math
-Algebra
- Trigonometry
Science
-Chemistry
-Physical Science
Physics

2. BUT….
¤ I DON’T have the silver bullet to solve all of the E.L. teacher
classroom problems!
¤ I DON’T have a perfect strategy that is so effective that you just have
to follow…
However….

4. Here’s my twist…
Being culturally sensitive by:
1) Reducing Cognitive Load
2) Reducing Cultural Load
3) Reducing Language Load
…you already know this I know…but I do it with a personal touch. So keep your comments to yourself…ssshhhh!!!
Note: I don’t make a separate lesson for English only speakers and another lesson for English Language Learners….NO.
NO. NO. I make A lesson with the EL in mind.

5. 1. Pre-Reading Vocabulary (HW worksheet)
- First contact
Chapter 3: Kinematics in two dimensions
Terms:
1. Vector Quantity
2. Scalar Quantity
3. Resultant Vector
4. Projectile Motion
5. Free-fall
6. Terminal Velocity
7. Drag Force
8. Projectile Range
9. Vector component
10. Maximum height
11. Gravitational acceleration
Key Concepts:
1. How is the horizontal component different from the vertical component of an object following a
parabolic path?
2. Why is NW not the same as N of W?
3. Why do objects being launch at an angle demonstrate a parabolic path?
4. At hmax what is the object’s acceleration? What is its Vx? What is its Vy?
5. Why is Vx = Vy in a parabolic motion?
6. When shooting at a target from a certain distance, why is it NOT advisable to aim straight at it (or
the bullseye)?
Equations:

6. 2. Modified T.P.R. (Total Physical Response)
- Multiple Intelligence
Ex. Inertia is the reluctance of an object to change its state of
rest or of uniform motion. It is a property of an object NOT a
force.
Any volunteer?

7. 3. DIAGRAMING
- Converting abstract into concrete

8. 4. Units as cues
- Tools to succeed
“I have to stop searching for the perfect strategy and focus on equipping them with survival tools to give them one little win at a time.
And with every little win, maybe…just maybe, they will hang in there a little longer until they become more confident and eventually succeed.”

9. 5. AVID strategy: Vocabulary Tables
- need I say more?

10. Give them a tool to succeed one lesson at a time. Don’t sweat on perfecting a
strategy, but by giving them a glimmer of hope – a chance to gain confidence.
- (yeah, I said it!)
And If it requires making a fool of yourself in front of your students...then
remember that “One day your life will flash before your eyes, so make sure it’s
worth watching.” -Gerard Way

11. REMEMBERTHIS: