CSEL SCIENCE
Differentiate Learner Experiences.
Both versions of the student packet include the same science content and instructional activities. A more scaffolded version is available for students who need additional support with oral or written responses. These scaffolds include vocabulary defined in the text and in the margins, sentence frames, sentence stems, word banks, and model responses.
Students who complete assignments early can engage in extension activities. Shorter extension activities include crossword puzzles that reinforce the science vocabulary introduced in each session. Longer extension activities provide opportunities for students to apply, extend, and deepen their understanding of the concepts presented in each module through engaging, content-aligned tasks.
Varied Scaffolding in Student Packets
Description of key features:
1
Group 1 student packets define important words and phrases in context and in the margins.
2
Group 1 student packets include supports to help students respond to questions/writing prompts and communicate their ideas. In the example, sentence frames and a word bank are provided.
3
Group 2 student packets also include the same core content/activities and embedded visual and linguistic supports, like labeled images, defining words in context, and defining words in the margins.
4
Group 2 student packets have fewer supports related to student responses. For example, the Group 2 version of the activity does not include sentence frames or word banks.
The images below show part of an activity from Session 5.2:
Feel the Energy – The Science of Roller Coasters
in two versions of the student packet. Both versions include the same core content and activity, while the Group 1 version includes additional supports for student responses. Numbered circles in the images highlight key features that are explained below
Group 1 Version of Student Packet
Group 2 Version of Student Packet
Extension Activity
Description of key features:
1
Extension activities are available for students who complete session activities earlier than their classmates and/or for extra credit. This extension activity is a crossword puzzle that features key vocabulary words.
2
A word bank is provided to support students in completing the crossword puzzle.
3
The crossword puzzle clues are definitions for key vocabulary words in the session. Students must determine which word matches the definition clue and place the word in the corresponding area of the puzzle.
The image below shows an extension activity from the
Kinetic and Potential Energy module. This extension activity is a crossword puzzle that features key vocabulary words from the first two sessions of the module. Numbered circles in the image highlight key features that are explained below.
