Standard+2.3.5

=As appropriate, provide informed advice and support to colleagues in the design of effective strategies for teaching: =
 * =Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students =
 * =Students with Special Education Needs =
 * =Non-English Speaking Background students =
 * =Students with Challenging Behaviours. =

I took over a colleague’s year 12 Biology classes at the beginning of the year. There are a few ESL students in this class. I do employ a number of strategies to help ESL and NESB students learn the technical language used in Biology and Science but I had real concerns about the achievements of some of these students.

The email trail follows communications with the [|ESL teachers] to set up a meeting to discuss strategies I could use with these students to enhance their performance in the HSC examinations.

I spoke to my colleague who teaches student “C” in Chemistry. She was able to attend the [|meeting] I set up with the ESL teachers so that we could all discuss these issues. The advice given by the ESL teachers was supported by the literature (Teaching Technical/Abstract Language to [|ESL] students) provided by the HOD English.

I felt that it was important for my colleague to come with me to the meeting to share any ideas that were discussed and for her to be able to raise issues that may have been of particular relevance to her. In this way I was able to facilitate the gathering of informed advice for my colleague and myself.

My school has a few indigenous students. In order to give them the opportunity to investigate their own cultural heritage and to broaden our non-indigenous students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, I include [|Indigenous Science] wherever it is appropriate to our programs. I found the article copied from Science Education News very helpful in locating resources and relating them to specific syllabus outcomes. Using this information I am able to advise and support my colleagues in their design of effective strategies and activities in teaching and included some of these activities in the self paced unit “A Space Odyssey” as cited previously.