Reading & Writing assignments in Chemistry

Implementation Plan

Requirements : 06-07 Implement chemistry-specific reading tasks with emphasis on the acquisition of basic reading skills 07-08 Reinforce reading skills Post-reading Writing Tasks – MUST include “WRITING” elements At least 60% of students get a PASS score in the “Post-reading Writing Task”. At least TWO language features are required. 08-09 Reading tasks could help students develop high order reading skills. Post-reading Writing Tasks – MUST include “WRITING” elements at least in paragraph level. At least 60% of students get a PASS score in the Language Domain of the “Post-reading Writing Task”.

Text-types of reading articles: writing tasks: 06-07 Procedural account Descriptive report --- 07-08 Procedural account Descriptive report Descriptive report Explanation Argument Discussion 08-09 Descriptive report Explanation

Focused Reading Skills Reading Strategies Predicting Brainstorming & Reading the title, sub-headings, pictures Activating prior knowledge Recognizing main ideas Identifying topic sentences Using guiding questions Using graphic organizer Highlighting key words & topic sentences in a paragraph Drawing conclusion Evaluating Making inferences Using open-ended question Modeling from reading article

Resources for Reading & Writing : Newspaper Science magazines Webs Science Articles http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/TeacherZone.asp

Language Support & Assessment rubrics

To let students know the language and writing skills needed To evaluate and analyze students’ strengths and weaknesses

Use of Language Text-Type : Procedural Account Marking scale Excellent (5 marks) Good ( 3-4 marks) Average (2 marks) Need to improve (0-1 mark) Content knowledge - ideas / points concerned Language features of Procedural Account □ Imperative form of the verb □ Connectives / adverbs expressing sequence □ Connectives / adverbs expressing causes & effect □ Others : ________________ Score of Post-reading Writing Task : C / 5 L /5

More supports to students

Writing framework : A form of language support. The basic structure of the genre can be provided. The flow of ideas can be guided by listing related connectives in sequence and special language patterns.. Part of the text can be already written.

Procedures Procedure frame How to Procedure You will need Diagram or drawing First Then Next After that Finally Procedures

Comparison Comparison frame ________________ and ____________________ are alike in some ways as follows. For example they both They are also similar in The _________________ resembles Finally they both ________________ and ____________________ are different in many ways. The __________________ has _________________ whilst / whereas ____________________ has ___________________. They are also different in that Another way in which they differ is Finally Comparison

Explanation

Modelling

Modelling A form of language support.

Model Sentences Provide students with model sentences and explore with the special features. help students understand how to structure different types of sentences better.

Write sentences to describe the chemical reactions occurred Write sentences to describe the chemical reactions occurred. Use the sentence patterns given in the example. (F3 Chem) Example: burn magnesium + oxygen  magnesium oxide ( white solid ) When magnesium is burnt in oxygen, a white solid is formed. The product is called magnesium oxide. burn 1. lead + oxygen  lead(II) oxide ( yellow solid ) When _lead_ is burnt in oxygen , a yellow solid is formed. The product is called _lead(II) oxide.

burn 2. Carbon + oxygen  carbon dioxide (colourless gas ) When carbon is burnt in oxygen, a colourless gas is formed. The product is called carbon dioxide.

Model Texts Provide students with model reading texts with the same type of genre. Help students understand how to structure different types of text better. Students can learn to express the concepts more explicitly and accurately.

A writing assignment with a reading article of the same genre. Descriptive Report

Writing - Descriptive Report Modeling with framework

Evaluation of student performance

Success Criteria had been fulfilled. Success Criteria : About 60% of the class can get a pass 06-07 07-08 08-09 F3 95 100 (* 97 ) 85 ( * 72 ) F4 97 (* 98 ) 98 ( * 96 ) F6 (* 95 ) ( * 88 ) % of pass in the total score ( * ) % of pass in writing task ( * ) % of pass in language domain Success Criteria had been fulfilled.

Student exemplar - High achiever with high language mark

Student exemplar - High achiever with low language mark