Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6-12

Strategies to Improve Content Learning
First Edition
Kathleen Chamberlain - Educational Consultant, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Christine Corby Crane - Educational Consultant, Athens, PA
Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6-12
September 2008 | 136 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452295527
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781412960717
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Description

"The strategies align with what our preservice and veteran teachers need to teach in today's classrooms. From newspapers, magazines, and research reports to adolescent trade books, the authors offer numerous strategies for supplementing science classes with various reading materials."
—Amy M. Rogers, Instructor of Education
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA

Combine literacy and inquiry-based instruction to advance student achievement in science!

Integrating reading and writing with inquiry in the science classroom can present a challenge for teachers who may not have a background in reading instruction and who may be concerned about how to strengthen students' literacy skills while effectively teaching science content.

In this timely resource, Kathleen Chamberlain and Christine Corby Crane demonstrate how nurturing strong communication skills can have a significant impact on student performance, and provide research-based strategies for successfully integrating literacy skills with science instruction. Packed with information about reading and writing pedagogy, science standards, adolescent and young adult literature, and lesson design, this book:

  • Addresses the relationship between reading and science education, including the use of textbooks and other materials
  • Offers methods for teaching writing in the science classroom
  • Highlights the role of technology in enhancing students' science knowledge
  • Includes sample lesson plans, graphic organizers, and templates suitable for any secondary science classroom, with modifications for students with special needs

The ultimate blend of theory and practice, Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6–12 helps educators foster the skills to communicate science ideas and experiences and give students an academic advantage.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. Constructing a Scientifically Literate Society
  • What Is Science?
  • What Is Scientific Literacy?
  • How Do We Reach Scientific Literacy?
  • Classroom Strategies
  • Questioning
  • Inquiry Teaching Models
  • 5E Lesson Design
  • Generative Learning Model
  • Assessing Inquiry
  • Standards
  • Summary
  • 2. Textbooks in the Science Classroom
  • Quality and Appropriateness of Textbooks
  • Readability of Texts
  • Students’ Reading Abilities
  • Matching Texts and Students
  • Other Considerations for Textbook Evaluations
  • Strategies for Using Textbook Materials
  • Pre-Reading Activities
  • Vocabulary Development
  • Setting a Purpose for Reading
  • During Reading
  • Post-Reading Activities
  • Summary
  • 3. Beyond the Textbook
  • Literature for Adolescents
  • Genres of Trade Books
  • Children’s Books
  • Comic Books and Graphic Novels
  • Poetry
  • Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs
  • Newspapers and Popular Magazines
  • Book Talks
  • Literature Circles
  • Summary
  • Books for Science
  • Selected Trade Books Mentioned in This Chapter
  • Web Sites Referenced
  • 4. Writing in Science
  • Why Writing?
  • Types of Writing
  • Informal Writing Tasks
  • Formal Writing Tasks
  • Formal Scientific Writing
  • Formal Creative Writing Tasks
  • Assessing Students’ Work
  • Creating the Environment
  • Summary
  • 5. Using Technology to Enhance Reading, Writing, and Inquiry
  • Why Use Technology?
  • Getting Started
  • Hypermedia
  • Geocaching
  • Using the Internet
  • Webquests
  • Streaming Video
  • The Globe Program
  • Project Feeder Watch
  • Course Management Systems
  • Other Equipment
  • Digital Cameras
  • Handheld Computers
  • Data Analysis Programs
  • Databases
  • Spreadsheets
  • Technology and Writing
  • Inspiration
  • Claymation
  • Visual Communicator
  • Evaluating Software Programs
  • Challenges
  • Summary
  • Sources for Computer Programs Referenced in This Chapter
  • Web Sites Referenced in This Chapter
  • Additional Web Sites of Interest

References

References

Index

Index

Description

"The strategies align with what our preservice and veteran teachers need to teach in today's classrooms. From newspapers, magazines, and research reports to adolescent trade books, the authors offer numerous strategies for supplementing science classes with various reading materials."
—Amy M. Rogers, Instructor of Education
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA

Combine literacy and inquiry-based instruction to advance student achievement in science!

Integrating reading and writing with inquiry in the science classroom can present a challenge for teachers who may not have a background in reading instruction and who may be concerned about how to strengthen students' literacy skills while effectively teaching science content.

In this timely resource, Kathleen Chamberlain and Christine Corby Crane demonstrate how nurturing strong communication skills can have a significant impact on student performance, and provide research-based strategies for successfully integrating literacy skills with science instruction. Packed with information about reading and writing pedagogy, science standards, adolescent and young adult literature, and lesson design, this book:

  • Addresses the relationship between reading and science education, including the use of textbooks and other materials
  • Offers methods for teaching writing in the science classroom
  • Highlights the role of technology in enhancing students' science knowledge
  • Includes sample lesson plans, graphic organizers, and templates suitable for any secondary science classroom, with modifications for students with special needs

The ultimate blend of theory and practice, Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6–12 helps educators foster the skills to communicate science ideas and experiences and give students an academic advantage.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. Constructing a Scientifically Literate Society
  • What Is Science?
  • What Is Scientific Literacy?
  • How Do We Reach Scientific Literacy?
  • Classroom Strategies
  • Questioning
  • Inquiry Teaching Models
  • 5E Lesson Design
  • Generative Learning Model
  • Assessing Inquiry
  • Standards
  • Summary
  • 2. Textbooks in the Science Classroom
  • Quality and Appropriateness of Textbooks
  • Readability of Texts
  • Students’ Reading Abilities
  • Matching Texts and Students
  • Other Considerations for Textbook Evaluations
  • Strategies for Using Textbook Materials
  • Pre-Reading Activities
  • Vocabulary Development
  • Setting a Purpose for Reading
  • During Reading
  • Post-Reading Activities
  • Summary
  • 3. Beyond the Textbook
  • Literature for Adolescents
  • Genres of Trade Books
  • Children’s Books
  • Comic Books and Graphic Novels
  • Poetry
  • Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs
  • Newspapers and Popular Magazines
  • Book Talks
  • Literature Circles
  • Summary
  • Books for Science
  • Selected Trade Books Mentioned in This Chapter
  • Web Sites Referenced
  • 4. Writing in Science
  • Why Writing?
  • Types of Writing
  • Informal Writing Tasks
  • Formal Writing Tasks
  • Formal Scientific Writing
  • Formal Creative Writing Tasks
  • Assessing Students’ Work
  • Creating the Environment
  • Summary
  • 5. Using Technology to Enhance Reading, Writing, and Inquiry
  • Why Use Technology?
  • Getting Started
  • Hypermedia
  • Geocaching
  • Using the Internet
  • Webquests
  • Streaming Video
  • The Globe Program
  • Project Feeder Watch
  • Course Management Systems
  • Other Equipment
  • Digital Cameras
  • Handheld Computers
  • Data Analysis Programs
  • Databases
  • Spreadsheets
  • Technology and Writing
  • Inspiration
  • Claymation
  • Visual Communicator
  • Evaluating Software Programs
  • Challenges
  • Summary
  • Sources for Computer Programs Referenced in This Chapter
  • Web Sites Referenced in This Chapter
  • Additional Web Sites of Interest

References

References

Index

Index

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Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6-12

Strategies to Improve Content Learning


September 2008 | 136 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412960717 $37.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412960700 $79.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452295527 $35.00

"The strategies align with what our preservice and veteran teachers need to teach in today's classrooms. From newspapers, magazines, and research reports to adolescent trade books, the authors offer numerous strategies for supplementing science classes with various reading materials."
—Amy M. Rogers, Instructor of Education
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA

Combine literacy and inquiry-based instruction to advance student achievement in science!

Integrating reading and writing with inquiry in the science classroom can present a challenge for teachers who may not have a background in reading instruction and who may be concerned about how to strengthen students' literacy skills while effectively teaching science content.

In this timely resource, Kathleen Chamberlain and Christine Corby Crane demonstrate how nurturing strong communication skills can have a significant impact on student performance, and provide research-based strategies for successfully integrating literacy skills with science instruction. Packed with information about reading and writing pedagogy, science standards, adolescent and young adult literature, and lesson design, this book:

  • Addresses the relationship between reading and science education, including the use of textbooks and other materials
  • Offers methods for teaching writing in the science classroom
  • Highlights the role of technology in enhancing students' science knowledge
  • Includes sample lesson plans, graphic organizers, and templates suitable for any secondary science classroom, with modifications for students with special needs

The ultimate blend of theory and practice, Reading, Writing, and Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Grades 6–12 helps educators foster the skills to communicate science ideas and experiences and give students an academic advantage.


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Figures
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • 1. Constructing a Scientifically Literate Society
  • What Is Science?
  • What Is Scientific Literacy?
  • How Do We Reach Scientific Literacy?
  • Classroom Strategies
  • Questioning
  • Inquiry Teaching Models
  • 5E Lesson Design
  • Generative Learning Model
  • Assessing Inquiry
  • Standards
  • Summary
  • 2. Textbooks in the Science Classroom
  • Quality and Appropriateness of Textbooks
  • Readability of Texts
  • Students’ Reading Abilities
  • Matching Texts and Students
  • Other Considerations for Textbook Evaluations
  • Strategies for Using Textbook Materials
  • Pre-Reading Activities
  • Vocabulary Development
  • Setting a Purpose for Reading
  • During Reading
  • Post-Reading Activities
  • Summary
  • 3. Beyond the Textbook
  • Literature for Adolescents
  • Genres of Trade Books
  • Children’s Books
  • Comic Books and Graphic Novels
  • Poetry
  • Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs
  • Newspapers and Popular Magazines
  • Book Talks
  • Literature Circles
  • Summary
  • Books for Science
  • Selected Trade Books Mentioned in This Chapter
  • Web Sites Referenced
  • 4. Writing in Science
  • Why Writing?
  • Types of Writing
  • Informal Writing Tasks
  • Formal Writing Tasks
  • Formal Scientific Writing
  • Formal Creative Writing Tasks
  • Assessing Students’ Work
  • Creating the Environment
  • Summary
  • 5. Using Technology to Enhance Reading, Writing, and Inquiry
  • Why Use Technology?
  • Getting Started
  • Hypermedia
  • Geocaching
  • Using the Internet
  • Webquests
  • Streaming Video
  • The Globe Program
  • Project Feeder Watch
  • Course Management Systems
  • Other Equipment
  • Digital Cameras
  • Handheld Computers
  • Data Analysis Programs
  • Databases
  • Spreadsheets
  • Technology and Writing
  • Inspiration
  • Claymation
  • Visual Communicator
  • Evaluating Software Programs
  • Challenges
  • Summary
  • Sources for Computer Programs Referenced in This Chapter
  • Web Sites Referenced in This Chapter
  • Additional Web Sites of Interest
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"Thoroughly addresses lesson planning, vocabulary development, graphic organizers, and meeting the needs of students in special education. This book is especially beneficial for new teachers who want to include reading and writing activities in their daily lesson planning in a science classroom."
Russell E. Eppinger, Principal, Middletown Area Middle School, PA
“The strategies reflect what our preservice and veteran teachers need to teach in today’s classrooms. From newspapers, magazines, and research reports to adolescent trade books, the authors offer numerous strategies for supplementing science classes with various reading materials.”
Amy M. Rogers, Instructor of Education, Lycoming College

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