Building Scientific Literacy Through Inquiry

Wallingford Public Schools

Wallingford, Connecticut

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• Why use literature to teach science?

• Why use an inquiry approach?

• How can this approach also help increase literacy skills?

Phase 1

Phase 1

Phase 1

Phase 1

Phase 1

Phase 1

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase OneRaising Questions

Fact, Question, Reaction Strategy

Purpose: This strategy helps readers reflect and glean important information and deepen understanding through questioning.

Procedures:1. Read an informational text.2. Write down any facts that you learned, questions you have, or reactions on a sticky note.3. Make a three column chart, labeled Facts, Questions, Reaction and put the sticky notes into the columns.4. Reflect on the questions. Were some of them answered in the text? In your head? Or do you need to do further research and/or investigations?

Fact Question Reaction

“Our moon looks big and bright because it is so close to Earth compared to the faraway stars and planets. It is about 238,900 miles away.”

Fact Question Reaction

Our moon looks bright because it is so close to Earth.

It is about 238, 900 miles away.

Then how close is the sun to Earth?

I don’t think it is too close because we would be too hot!

Wow, that us really far!

“The moon makes no light of its own to shine. It is bright in the night sky because it reflects the sun’s light. It is about one-fourth the size of Earth. It is made up of rock and dust. There is no air or sign of life.”

Fact Question Reaction

The moon makes no light of its own to shine.

The moon is bright in the night sky because it reflects the sun’s light.

There is no air or sign of life.

I know sometimes the moon is full and sometimes it is partial. How does the moon reflect the sun’s light and why does the moon look different on some nights?

What would be needed for life to exist on the moon?

Gee, I thought it did!

I thought I heard something different.

Phase TwoPlanning and Investigating

QuestionsGallery Walk- Have students read through the questions and chose one that interests them. The questions may have to be further developed or sorted to meet your curriculum objectives.

Model- Model for students how to plan an investigation using literature. You may have to teach lessons on using key words, table of contents, verifying with more than one resource or through investigations, etcetera.

Conduct Investigation

Phase ThreeSharing Results and Processing

for Meaning

Ways to share

• Orally with posters, diagrams, charts, pictures, hands-on demonstrations

• Science notebooks• Powerpoint presentations• Small group or pair shares

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

• Why use literature to teach science?Literature can be a vehicle for teaching science in the classroom when concepts are too abstract, hands-on investigations are not possible to do, or when it can be unsafe.

Literature can enhance inquiry investigations and further a student’s understanding.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

• Why use an inquiry approach?An literature inquiry approach not only motivates students to learn, but promotes a deeper understanding of concepts.Inquiry allows students to develop process skills in the context of an investigation.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

• How can this approach also help increase literacy skills?

Science process skills and literacy skills often overlap. We need to build a scientifically literate society!