Math & Science TAKS Bootcamp Strategies

For English Language Learners

Ice Breaker….

• What is the biggest obstacle ELLs face in passing the Math & Science TAKS tests?

More Ice Breaking…

• Yellow Blue Green

• Purple Orange Yellow

• Black Brown Green

• Orange Red Purple

• Blue Green Yellow

What is Bootcamp?

• A series of 5 tutorial sessions.

• Strategies focusing on the needs of ELLs.– Language Scaffolding– Critical Thinking– Content Review

Objectives

• Build Testing Confidence

• Teach Concrete Strategies

• Language Scaffolding Techniques

• Reinforce Strategic Test Taking Skills

Math & Science Bootcamp

• 5 Sessions• 50 minutes each• 4 elements per session

– Read Aloud– Vocabulary– Question T-Chart– Answer Match– Solve & Present

Materials

• Classroom Questions & Answers

• Student question manipulatives

• Student answer manipulatives

• Paper for vocabulary activity

• Paper for T-chart activity

Classroom Questions & Answers

• Large Copies of the 5 Questions and 5 Answer groups for each session

• Students will have small copies of the same

Element 1: Question Read Aloud

• 5 Questions

• Students read the questions aloud noting the vocabulary marked in each question.

Element 2: Vocabulary

• 5-8 words pre-chosen per session

• Words taken from TAKS context

• Students create personal dictionaries for EACH word

Vocabulary Word or Phrase

Visual Representation

Definition in my own words

Word in TAKS Context

Element 3: T-Chart

• Language Breakdown

• Slow-down & Think

What is the question really asking me? In my own words

what is it looking for?

Data

Facts

Numbers

Information

Element 4: Answer Match

• Students match their answer manipulatives to the question manipulatives

Element 5: Answer Present

• Students solve all 5 questions using their vocabulary and T-charts

• Each question is presented to the class

• All 5 Questions remain on the wall until the next Bootcamp session.

Patti_Martinez@tamu-commerce.edu