Support for All Students
Support for students from minority or non-dominant groups was carefully considered in the design of each Smithsonian Science for the Classroom module. Recognizing that supports for such students typically benefit all learners, we used a universal design approach in our series development. Examples of this include offering a variety of ways for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills; using large, sans serif fonts in student-facing materials such as notebook sheets; and providing picture-based or simple text directions for student reference during activities. Phenomena and problems were selected so that students from different backgrounds can connect with the content. For example, kindergarten phenomena include hot pavement and wet trees. Context is provided when phenomena may be unfamiliar to students. For example, in grade 1 life science, students are introduced to penguins through video.
In addition to a universal design approach, numerous supports are provided within Smithsonian Science for the Classroom modules. Again, many of these supports may benefit all students.
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Full page blackline masters are available through Carolina Science Online.
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Closed captioning is provided for all videos with spoken word.
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Text alternatives are provided for digital simulations.
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Smithsonian Science Stories Literacy Series books are available with text-to-speech through Carolina Science Online.
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Student-facing blackline masters and digital resources are available in English and Spanish.
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Student Activity Guides (grades 3 through 5) are available in English and Spanish.
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Smithsonian Science Stories Literacy Series books are available in English and Spanish.
While we recognize that students who are English learners are a highly diverse group themselves, research has pinpointed some best practices that are broadly useful in supporting these students. Throughout each module, relevant research-based EL strategies are embedded at pertinent point-of-use moments.
