Water Scarcity in India

Title of Project: Water Scarcity in India

What environmental, social and economic factors affect water scarcity in India?

Schools and Teachers

Cold Spring Harbor High School Teacher: Christine Copley Co-Teacher: Ms. Glynn

ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology

Expanding, Commanding | Integrated ENL/ELA | 11-12R1, 11-12R3, RI11-12W1 | Google Translate

Assessments

Students filled in periodic Check-In worksheets
Students wrote in a journal, finding examples of literary terms and devices
Students researched and wrote a paper about their topic

Description

This learning experience was taught in a Senior Modern Lit class. Students chose and read a modern fiction book that had real world issues. Books were chosen based on interest, reading levels and cultural context. Students read the book and identified world issues to research. Students researched and wrote a paper about these issues and found possible solutions. Dr. Spencer's Launch Cycle was referenced for this project.

Content

I can identify key problems in the novel I read and make connections to my own culture and past experiences.

I can analyze book reviews of the novel I read.

Language

I can research and write a paper based on real world issues connected to the novel I read.

Technology

I can read and summarize a novel with the help of Google Translate.

Student work

Student work analyzing the book they read

Student work analyzing reviews of the book they read

Procedure

Students choose a modern fiction based on their interests and reading level. Teachers help students navigate all different options. Teachers and students choose books based on social and world issues. The teachers helped the highlighted Expanding ENL student choose "Thirst" by Varsha Bajaj which is a story about water scarcity in India. It was a real world issue and the student understood the context of the culture and problems since she grew up in India. The reading level was accessible since it was a middle school read. ENL students used Google Translate to understand unfamiliar words and phrases. They fill out a plan of how they are going to complete the book in three weeks answering intermittent Check-In question worksheets. Students discuss what is happening in the book with the ENL teacher and the teacher clarifies any questions the students have about the book. After reading the book, the students find and analyze 3 reviews of the book they read and write a response based on their assessment of the review. The final project is a research paper addressing the main issue in their book, in this case water scarcity in India.

Resources and Other Materials

Reflection

This ELA project was adapted for this particular Expanding ENL student. The novel was chosen based on her interest and reading level. The student was engaged in the topic. It was suspected that the student relied on AI to complete some of the aspects of the project (the Book Review) which is a new challenge to address. Although AI is helpful with language support, we would have preferred she used her own language with the help of Google Translate.

Page updated

Report abuse