Life Academy of Health and Biosciences (’15-’16)

Participants

Christi Carpenter, Shelly Golder, Matt Hayes, Yuji Okamura, Eva Oliver, Nina Portugal, Molly Porziz, Marguerite Sheffer, Samantha Solomon, Annie Tickell

School Focus

The Life Academy of Health and Bioscience Humanities Department (Oakland Unified) is using inquiry to improve how teachers serve long-term English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades 6-12. Life Academy received a Light Award to partner with Mills Teacher Scholars for this purpose.

Sample Inquiry Topics

Supporting ELLs’ reading comprehension and use of evidence through annotation
Building grammar understanding so ELLs can transfer these skills in their writing
Using leveled questions to help ELLs analyze text in discussion and writing
Improving ELLs’ independent reading comprehension skills through SSR and the structures around it

Teacher Leaders

Christi Carpenter

Marguerite Scheffer

Report Highlight

The Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development

“Through the collaborative inquiry there’s a real aha moment,” said Carrie Wilson, executive director of Mills Teacher Scholars. “It gives teachers a chance to see how the competencies intersect with their instructional practices.”

-- A Policy Agenda in Support of How Learning Happens