Science and Social Studies Integration

Language Arts

Social

StudiesMath

Science

Mia Johnson, Lora Drum, Carol Moore Curriculum Specialists

Brainstorming Activity

Before, During, and After Reading

Highlight strategies you use

to teach reading in your classroom.

Circle strategies you use to

teach science and social studies.

What does the research say?• This conception highlights the

integration of content by blending the disciplines through "overlapping skills, concepts, and attitudes" (Fogarty, 1991, p. 64). One position -- interdisciplinary curriculum -- emphasizes connections between language arts and content area learning (e.g., Grisham, 1995; Roehler, 1983) or problem-centered, thematic pursuits (e.g., Anders & Pritchard, 1993 ; Powell & Skoog, 1995). From this perspective, language and literacy are "functional tools, rather than curricular entities to be studied or mastered in their own right" (Pearson, 1994, p. 19). In these definitions, the curricular unit must be seen to involve more than one discipline or school subject.

Bristor's (1994) research provides an example of a study focusing on science and language arts integration. Motivated by efficiency and a desire to make content area literacy instruction more meaningful, the investigator designed a program drawing on literacy research to build students' background knowledge prior to reading content texts. Relevant language arts curriculum objectives from district guidelines were linked to science activities. Bristor drew on literature with science content from trade books and the basal reading program, and engaged students in dramatic play related to science themes. Based on results from subtests of standardized tests, the researcher reported gains in achievement in both reading and science for students in the integrated program as compared to those following traditional distinct curricula in the two areas. Further, on a six-scale inventory of affect, students in the integrated program showed more positive attitudes and greater self-confidence than comparable students in the separate curricula.

A little more

research…

What could this look like in my classroom?

Tea Party This is an interactive pre-reading strategy

that frontloads students’ knowledge of text information and also allows them to

become familiar with phrasing and content words. The strategy can be used with both narrative and expository texts.

Anticipation/Reaction Guide

This strategy is used to activate background knowledge before reading or doing and activity, stimulate interest and discussion during reading, compare before an after decisions, reverse misconceptions, and assess students’

application of new knowledge and/or skills.

List-Sort-LabelThis is a form of semantic mapping. This

strategy encourages students to improve vocabulary and categorization skills as well as organize concepts. Categorizing

listed words, through sorting/grouping and

labeling, helps students

organize new concepts in relation to previously

learned concepts.

Science and Social Studies!

Science Article

Is this something

you think you could

do in your class- room?

More activities to share…The National Science Teachers Association supports thenotion that inquiry science must be a basic in the dailycurriculum of every elementary school student at everygrade level. In the last decade, numerous reports havebeen published calling for reform in education. Each report

has highlighted the importance

of early experiences in science so that students develop problem-solving skills that empower them to participate in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

Elementary school students learn science best when:

» instruction builds directly on the student's conceptual framework.

» content is organized on the basis of broad conceptual themes common to all science disciplines.

» mathematics and communication skills are an integral part of science instruction.

http://www.aimsedu.org/Activities/

Kidspiration PowerPoint Photostory

Glogster! Voice Threads

How can I integrate technology, literacy, science and social studies?

Text Features!

Is this the missing piece?

Now it is your turn to add the last piece…

Lora_Drum@catawbaschools.netMia_Johnson@catawbaschools.netCarol_Moore@catawbaschools.net

Backdrops:

- These are full sized backdrops, just scale them up!

- Can be Copy-Pasted out of Templates for use anywhere!

www.animationfactory.com