Action Research in STEM and English Language Learning

Responding to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the U.S. K-12 student population and an increasing emphasis on STEM, this book offers a model for professional development that engages teachers in transformative action research projects and explicitly links literacy to mathematics and science curriculum through sociocultural principles. Providing detailed and meaningful demonstrations of participatory action research in the classroom, Razfar and Troiano present an effective, systemic approach that helps preservice teachers support students' funds of knowledge. By featuring teacher and researcher narratives, this book centers teacher expertise and offers a more holistic and humanistic understanding of authentic and empathetic teaching. Focusing on integrating instructional knowledge from ESL, bilingual, and STEM education, the range of cases and examples will allow readers to implement action research projects in their own classrooms. Chapters include discussion questions and additional resources for students, researchers, and educators.

Aria Razfar is Professor of Education & Linguistics at University of Illinois Chicago. Beverly Troiano is Associate Professor of Education at Elmhurst University, Elmhurst, Illinois.

Acknowledgments Authors Contributors Foreword by Kris Machtmes and Judith Green Chapter 1: Integrating Language Learning and STEM Through Action Research Chapter 2: Teaching Math and Science Through Playground Activism Chapter 3: Community Renewable Energy: Designing Solar Panels Through Science-Funds of Knowledge Chapter 4: Preparing the Next Generation of City Planners and Tech-Savvy Teachers Chapter 5: From IRE to Conversational: Shifting Classroom Discourse Through Community-Based Forensics Expertise Chapter 6: From Weslandia to Urban Gardening: Shifting Teacher Language Ideologies Through Ecological Science and Third Space Chapter 7: Sustaining Teaching Excellence and Professional Identity Across Time and Space: From Reporting to Sharing Chapter 8: Breaking the Fourth Wall: Rebuilding University and School Partnerships Through Action Research Epilogue Appendix A: Activity Triangle Template Appendix B: Fund of Knowledge Inventory Table Appendix C: Social Organization of Learning Protocol (Adapted from Razfar) Appendix D: Field-Note Observation Template Appendix E: Coding Sheet Template Appendix F: Discourse Analysis Transcription Conventions Appendix G: Unit Planning Appendix H: Final Reporting Tools Index