Integrating Literacy into Content Areas

Focus on Science

Lindsay Merritt and Pamela Wiles

Why is Integration so Important?

Time: With new Common Core Standards, we only have so much time to fit it all in.Natural correlation to content areas.

• Fluency is a skill lacking in most students. Routine practice throughout all subject areas will help build up.

What is Literacy?

Literacy refers to the ability to read, write, interpret, understand, and communicate.

Multiliteracy describes not just the “old school” printed text but also includes all of today’s multimedia sources of literacy: text combined with sounds, images, movies, and many, many more.

Reader’s TheaterReader’s Theater is an excellent way to get students reading and actively involved.

• A great addition to a science text that will help students make connections, reinforce content vocabulary, and cement their understanding of concepts.

• Addresses a variety of literacy skills without forfeiting scientific content.

• Builds fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Anticipation GuidesExcellent for introducing a lesson.

• Perfect for activating student’s prior knowledge.

• Can be done with the whole class, small groups, or individually. “Before” questions can also be a great opportunity to get students up and moving around.Works as a pre- and post-assessment.

• Ongoing throughout the lesson.

High School Middle School High School

With technology, students are using the internet more.

Reader’s ResponseStudents engage with the text throughout the reading with this graphic organizer.

• Can be completed individually, in pairs, or small groups.

• Complete comprehension through the areas addressed on the chart.

• Informal assessment and dissection of text.Can be used with any text, any subject.

Prediction:What do you think will

happen?

Visualize:What do you picture? Close

your eyes and describeQuestion:

What questions do you have?

Connect:What connections can you

make? Text, Self, World

Clarify:What do you need clarified? Do you understand what the text

is saying?

Evaluate:Evaluate what happened and

summarize.

Students can use any type of text with Reader’s Response.

Examples of texts that science teachers can use for Reader’s

Response

Newspaper News Report Picture Book

Using Picture BooksUsing picture books is a great way to incorporate literacy into any subject.

• Article :Using Picture Books for Middle School Minds

Integrating Literacy into Content Areas

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