Justification

**Curriculum Design Justification and Resources:** This is an interdisciplinary lesson plan. The reasons I chose this format are based largely on the fact that the students I work with are English Language Learners. “Integrated language and content instruction provides opportunities for learners to acquire a new language through the study of academic disciplines such as mathematics, science, and history” (Center for Applied Linguistics, 2011, “Teaching Language Through Content,” para. 1). This interdisciplinary lesson plan will combine work with vocabulary, reading, writing, social studies content, and technology skills. The Office of English Language Programs at the University of Oregon asserts that we should, “look for opportunities to ‘double dip’ or teach two or more things at once. High-interest content areas that combine language skills plus motivating topics can make a strong combination” (Office of English Language Programs, 2011, “Teacher Resources: Web Guide,” para.5) Furthermore, according to WIDA (a consortium that promotes research based education strategies and evaluation for ELLs), effective instruction makes use of practices which scaffold academic content and build language proficiency for English language learners at the same time. (WIDA, 2011, p.1) Teaching and practicing skills through interdisciplinary lessons not only aids the acquisition of language but also expands the content area knowledge of students.