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Ignite Curiosity and Imagination through Literacy:

Students Delve into the Depths of Science-based Literature

Thursday, September 15, 2022

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Today’s Presenters

Amanda Buice

Executive Director

Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers, Inc.

Tiffany Jones

Cobb County

2020-21 GSTA High School Teacher of the Year

Marlee Tierce

PAEMST and Dallas Stewart Award Winner

Stephanie Westhafer

Jackson County

GaDOE K-5 Science-Literacy Lesson Developer

Dr

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It was a dark and stormy night…..

Well, actually it was a bright and clear Saturday morning in February!

Different Grade Levels - Shared Interests:

science, engaging students, supporting students, books, reading

Set up calendar reminders to check in on the group!

Shared Space and Resources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hHizYW7qsBEOLZ_rq7DTppPUqZoYNWtpf9OwLtepzVA/edit?usp=sharing

If you are looking for a community, check out GaDOE’s Science Communities

How We Became Collaborators

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National Science Board. (2010). Science & Engineering Indicators.

We Must Start Early

Note the year is 2010 - We know students should start real inquiry in K and do if taught GSE!

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Do Science

  • Comprehension depends in part on your knowledge (Recht and Leslie, 1988)

Sampled good readers and poor readers with high knowledge of baseball and those who knew little

Poor readers with a high knowledge of baseball had higher comprehension scores than good readers who knew little about the sport

  • Student background knowledge is a critical factor when determining reading comprehension.

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Background Knowledge

The batsmen were merciless against the bowlers. The bowlers placed their men in slips and covers. But to no avail. The batsmen hit one four after another with an occasional six. Not once did a ball look like it would hit their stumps or be caught.

- Tierney and Person (1981)

Jodi Wheeler-Toppen’s GaDOE Series

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  • Science provides background knowledge and a compelling context for teaching reading and writing – both are essential for literacy

  • When students do it, observe it, talk about it, write about it and practice it over and over….they build knowledge.

  • Immerse students in science and then read about it.

  • “Do before you view” or “Activity Before Content” or “Lab before Blab” - These are all catchy sayings to compel us to have students do some science before assigning the reading of chapter 6 or doing the vocabulary.

Building Knowledge

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  • Even prior to the pandemic, the drive to improve students’ reading and math achievement has meant that science has sometimes fallen by the wayside. The 2018 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education found that only 17% of elementary educators said they teach science every day or almost every day.

  • Sense-making for me has to do with making science more accessible, more practical and more inviting to students. It has to do with how learners process and “make sense” of the world around them. We are attempting to help students think with a scientific lens – to observe, look for patterns, ask questions, etc.

  • Successfully integrating science and literacy for our youngest learners is key to ensuring that these students have access to science. And ALL students deserve science instruction.

Time for Science

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https://753a0706.flowpaper.com/CCSSOPg2UsingSciencetoBolsterLiteracyFINAL/

Science Improves Literacy

Provides rich context

Provides background knowledge

Science engages learners and thus drives their learning

Young children are naturally curious

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A Case for Crosscutting Concepts

The need to find time is not going away, but you will begin to see how you can infuse your whole day with the CCCs. Science is all around us and thinking like a scientist is useful all day long! To develop scientific habits of the mind, students will need to learn to see the world through the lens of the crosscutting concepts.

The trick to learning any new language (even science) is to use it daily in meaningful contexts. Books and text can help move science beyond a class period and into a mindset that will help students think, talk and read like scientist all the time.

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Pay Attention – Science is Everywhere

Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White

“A spider can produce several kinds of thread. She uses a dry, tough thread for foundation lines, and she uses a sticky thread for snare lines – the ones that catch and hold insects. Charlotte decided to use her dry thread for writing the new message.”

How is this web different from her usual webs?

What is this web for?

What is its function?

This web has a different structure because it has a different function!

"If I write the word 'Terrific' with sticky thread," she thought,

"every bug that comes along will get stuck in it and spoil the effect."

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Lesson Design

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Let’s Chat

  • In the chat box, drop one of your favorite books to use in the science classroom. Be prepared to unmute and share why.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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Science & Literacy: Reciprocal processes

Science

Literacy

Reciprocal Processes

Science- Purpose

Literacy- Empowers

Skills

  • Students must engage literacy skills to understand and apply science concepts; therefore, literacy inefficiencies profoundly impact science achievement.
  • Merging literacy and science processes results in “students who are more knowledgeable in science and more proficient in reading and communicating”.
  • Through literature, teachers utilize parallel

processes in science and literacy to strengthen

the cross-curricular connections, which allows students to “broaden the application of their processes in both areas” (Casteel & Isom, 1994, p.544)

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Why picture books?

  • Highly engaging, stimulate interest, and enhance understanding

  • Promote scientific inquiry and inspire curiosity, which makes science DYNAMIC

  • Provide context for concepts students are learning, and include relatable situations that activate schema (Casteel & Isom, 1994; Royce, Ansberry, Morgan, 2012)

  • Serve as a resource for finding or verifying answers (Royce, Ansberry, Morgan, 2012)

  • Focus on one issue/topic, allowing students to dig deeper (Harvey & Goudvis, 2017)

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Thoughtful selection and use of trade books can provide a strong foundation

for inquiry and enhance the 5E Instructional Model.”

(Forsythe, Jackson, & Contreras, 2018, p. 87)

  • Reviews the phases of the 5E instructional model
  • Describes literacy strategies that enhance the 5E phases
  • Explains how to select trade books and align literacy strategies
  • Provides examples of books aligned to the 5E model
  • Emphasizes the reciprocal relationship of science/literacy processes
  • Clarifies that the goal is to use trade books to teach science content, not to teach students how to read

Do you have books Hiding in Plain Sight?

How to identify and use trade books to support the 5e Instructional model

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Integration ELEMENTS FOR LEARNING IN CONTEXT

  • Authentic Connections between Science & Literacy
    • Choose standards that support scientific understandings
    • Teach for Transfer
  • Read-Alouds & Picture Books
    • Use Think-Alouds to model and reinforce connections
    • Choose Fiction AND Nonfiction
  • Vetting Resources
    • Research credible sources
    • Develop a list of criteria- Checklist
      • Does the text include accurate information?
      • Does the text support the literacy standard?
  • Explicit Planning
    • Go beyond “reading”- Integrate other ELA standards
    • Use a planning tool

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Phenomenon: Shadows

Science & Literacy unit: Shadow Stories

So…What does an integrated lesson look like?

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Science

S1P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to investigate light and sound.

c. Plan and carry out an investigation of shadows by placing objects at various points from a source of light.

Make it 3D!!! SEP: Plan & Conduct Investigations CCC: Cause & Effect

Reading

ELAGSE1RL3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

ELAGSE1RI5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of content, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.

Speaking & Listening

ELAGSE1SL1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

ELAGSE1SL2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

ELAGSE1SL5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Writing

ELAGSE1W3 Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened (Fictional Narrative)

Aligning standards for Integration

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  • Introduce the Fiction Text & Literacy Objective

  • While Reading:
    • Focus on story elements (characters, setting, main events)
    • Make connections between story elements AND the phenomenon

  • After Reading:
    • Chart the story elements
    • Revisit the story with a “retell” to dive deeper into the phenomenon
    • Use Turn/Talk/Share so students can discuss their “noticings”

  • Transition to Explore
    • How do you think this book connects to science?
    • What phenomenon in this book could we investigate?

Literacy: Story Elements, Collaborative Conversations, Ask/Answer Questions

Science: obtain & communicate information about light

How do i use literacy to engage students with a phenomenon?

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Plan:

    • Work in pairs or groups to explore materials (flashlights, animals, paper)
    • How can we create various shadows using a light source and object?

Investigate:

    • Use materials to make and trace shadows of various sizes
    • Record position of light source and object for each drawing
    • Explain what caused the shadow sizes to vary

Share Data:

    • Share findings with the class
    • Document common themes on a chart

Literacy: Collaborative Conversations, Ask/Answer Questions

Science: obtain, Evaluate, communicate information about light & Plan and Conduct Investigation

Shadow Investigation

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  • Introduce the Nonfiction Text & Literacy Objective

  • While Reading:
    • Focus on text features (headings, bold words, captions, and the glossary)
    • Reinforce how the text features enable them to learn about the phenomenon

  • After Reading:
    • Reexamine data from the investigation
    • How does information from the text help us make sense of our data?
    • Use Turn/Talk/Share so students can discuss new findings

  • Transition to Elaborate
    • How can we use what we’ve learned about this phenomenon to be an author and illustrator, like Phillipa Leathers, who wrote Black Rabbit?

Literacy: Text features, Collaborative Conversations, Ask/Answer Questions

Science: obtain, evaluate& communicate information about light

How do i use literacy to explain a phenomenon?

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  • Students use what they’ve learned from both books and their shadow investigation to write a fictional narrative about a character’s adventure with its shadow. They create illustrations using flashlights and animals to make shadows.

  • Students should include two settings, one with and one without light, as well as a variety of shadow sizes.

  • Revisit Black Rabbit- Explain how the students’ illustrations will be scientifically accurate in contrast to the book.

Literacy: Writing Narratives, adding drawings to clarify ideas

Science: communicate information about light

Writing a shadow Story

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Evaluate in every stage

  • Engage- Literacy & Science
    • Formative-Students describe the character, setting, and main events
    • Pre-Assess Background Knowledge (Light/Shadows)
  • Explore- Science
    • Formative-Students plan/conduct the shadow investigation
  • Explain- Literacy & Science
    • Formative-Students use text features to locate key details
    • Formative- Students communicate about light/shadows
  • Elaborate- Literacy & Science
    • Summative- Students write and illustrate a fictional narrative
    • Summative- Students explain how they used a light source and opaque object to make various shadows

How will students show what they know?

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Extensions

  • Math- Measurement

Using the sketches from the Explore state, have students order the shadow sketches according to length (least to greatest) and have them measure with cubes to find the length of each shadow sketch.

  • Art- Media Variations

Extend the illustration activity, incorporate a variety of art media (crayons,

water colors, charcoal pencils, etc.)

  • Technology- Digital Publishing

Using a story book app, students can publish their writing by creating a digital story using the illustrations from the Elaborate stage.

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Resource Links

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References

Boothroyd, J. (2015). Playing with light and shadows. Lerner Publications Co.

Casteel, C. P., & Isom, B. A. (1994). Reciprocal processes in science and literacy learning. The Reading Teacher, 47(7), 538–545.

Forsythe, M., Jackson, J., & Contreras, L. (2018). Hiding in Plain Sight: How to identify and use trade books to support the 5E Instructional Model. Science and Children, 56(2), 80-87. https://www.nsta.org/hiding-plain-sight

Harvey, S. & Goudvis, A. (2017). Strategies that work, 3rd edition: Teaching comprehension for engagement, understanding, and building knowledge, grades K-8. Stenhouse Publishers.

Leathers, P. (2013). The black rabbit. Candlewick Press.

RIce, D. C., Dudley, A. P., & Williams, C. S. (2001). How do you choose science trade books? Science & Children, 38(6). 18-23.

Royce, C. A., Ansberry, K. R., & Morgan, E. R. (2012). Teaching science through trade books. NSTA Press.

.

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Let’s chat!

Think about the book you shared in the previous chat…Are you using a paired text? If not, what book (fiction/nonfiction) could you pair with it to create a similar lesson? Drop ideas in the chat and be prepared to share!

What paired Texts do you/would you use?

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Ignite Curiosity and Imagination through Literacy:

Meeting the Secondary Literacy Needs

Dr. Tiffany Jones

9-12 Science Teacher

South Cobb High School Literacy CommitteE

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Story Time in High School?!?!?! .......................YES!

Body Parts Game

SMART Goals

Medical Science

Anatomy & Physiology

Biology

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How does literacy naturally bleed into science courses?

Reading

Writing

Critical Thinking

Asking Questions

Designing solutions

Creating Claims

Using supportive evidence

Arguing with evidence

Developing models

Planning investigations

Analyzing Data

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Why Science Teachers Actually Are Reading/Writing Teachers

When scientists read, they

Ask "Why?" more than "What?"

Interpret data, charts, and illustrations

Seek to understand concepts as well as words

Determine validity of sources and quality of evidence

Pay attention to details

When scientists write, they

Use precise vocabulary

Compose in phrases, bullets, graphs or sketches

Use passive voice

Favor exactness over craft or elaboration

Communicate in a systematic form

When scientists think, they

Tap into curiosity to create questions

Rely on prior knowledge or research

Consider new hypotheses or evidence

Propose explanations

Create solutions

ASCD Disciplinary Literacy: A Shift That Makes Sense

Combining science & literacy instruction has a 0.98 effect size according to Hattie

(White & White, 2022)

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BOOM

Lab edition

Pre-Lab Requirements

  • Ask questions about the title of the lab
  • Pre-read an article or information pertaining to the lab
  • Using prior knowledge, develop procedures that could be used during lab.

Lab Reports

  • Add a literature review or annotated bibliography component
    • Adds credibility, reading academic literature, processing information
  • Writing lab reports helps students understand the process of communicating science.

Post lab

  • Data analysis and interpretation.
  • Argumentation (ADI style)

How to incorporate literacy opportunities?

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How to incorporate literacy opportunities?

Warm-up Edition

Articles

  • Have students read short articles pertaining to the lesson of the day. Anticipation Guides, KWLs, and Magnet Summaries can catch misconceptions and gauge prior knowledge

Data Nuggets

  • Share a data nugget and have your students create interpretations of the data.
  • Allow students to discuss differences of interpretations.

Case Studies

  • Using interrupted case studies show students the scientific process and incorporates literacy practices into their interpretation of the data for each day.

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BOOM

How to incorporate literacy opportunities?

Class Flow Edition

Stations

  • Incorporate reading stations into your normal stations activities.

Case Studies

  • Phenomena based
  • Allows students to relate to a problem and develop solutions

Closing

  • Have students explain the content of the day using graphic organizers, memes, comics, etc.
  • Analogies
  • Writing about connections between personal experience and content

Book Study

  • SOOO many great books based on content.
  • Book List: Life Science, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental

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Need some strategies to integrate literacy?

  1. KWL
  2. Anticipation Guide (1)
  3. Vocabulary Review
  4. Word Sort (3)
  5. One Pager
  6. Table Talk
  7. 5-word Prediction (4)
  8. ABC Brainstorm (2)
  9. Cubing
  10. Magnet Summary

Resources

Need articles that relate to your content?

Need graphical and data resources? These are my FAVES!

  1. Data Nuggets
  2. Turners GOW

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References

Duschl, R. (2008). Science education in three-part harmony: Balancing conceptual, epistemic, and social learning goals. Review of Research in Education, 32(1), 268–291. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X07309371

Howell, E. L., & Brossard, D. (2021). (Mis)informed about what? What it means to be a science-literate citizen in a digital world. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(15), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1912436117

National Academies. (n.d.). A framework for K-12 science education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas. National Academies Press. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13165/a-framework-for-k-12-science-education-practices-crosscutting-concepts

Pan, D., Budd, S., Bruehl, M., & Knight, J. D. (2021). Tracking information literacy in science students: A longitudinal case study of skill retention from general chemistry to biochemistry. Journal of Chemical Education, 98, 3749–3757. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00114

Patterson-Williams, A. D. (2020). Sustaining disciplinary literacy in science: A transformative, just model for teaching the language of science. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 64(3), 333–336. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.1100

Romance, N., & Vitale, M. (2017). Implications of a cognitive science model integrating literacy in science on achievement in science and reading: Direct effects in grades 3-5 with transfer to grades 6-7. International Journal of Science and Math Education, 15(1), 979–995. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-016-9721-2

Rubini, B., Ardianto, D., & Pursitasari, I. D. (2019) Teachers' perception regarding integrated science learning and science literacy. Advances in Social Science, Education, and Humanities Research, 253(3), 364–366. https://doi.org/10.2991/aes-18.2019.82

Stahl, N. A., Armstrong, S. L., King, J. R., & Dryer, J. (2020). College-ready for a career pathway: A vertical-alignment study in literacy. Journal of Developmental Education, 43(2), 2–8. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1321864

White, A., & White, D. (2022). Use your literacy block for science [Conference Presentation]. GSTA 2022 Conference, Peachtree City, GA, United States. https://bit.ly/UseYourLitBlock4Sci

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Using jamboard:

Read one of the educator guides and discuss with your group how science and literacy collide

https://jamboard.google.com/d/1WjQDukKXLV5AjWpoJIk4mjxBlNgmsnqcTtSYw5dCids/edit?usp=sharing

Break out time!

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https://jamboard.google.com/d/1WjQDukKXLV5AjWpoJIk4mjxBlNgmsnqcTtSYw5dCids/edit?usp=sharing

Let’s Discuss...

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Please add questions, comments, and ideas to the chat! Since this is recorded, we can review to help us in planning for NSTA’s Atlanta 23!

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Now let’s do a bit of reading Science Text.

  • Reading a science book is NOT like reading a novel or story.
  • Slow waaaay down when reading science.
  • Science writing is an information-rich environment. There are lots of new ideas to understand and lots of distractions to make your eyes want to skip around from the text to other parts of the page.

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MARCH 12, 2022 BY: TOPTEACHING�WHY YOU SHOULD BE TEACHING TEXT STRUCTURES

Science

Drama

Poetry

Social Studies

Math Word Problems

Chapter Books

Graphic Novels

Test Questions

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“Readers who are familiar with the particular structure of the text (reading a story, reading science text, reading in social studies, reading math story problems, etc.) have several advantages.

They know

    • What to expect from different parts of the text,
    • Where to search for particular types of information,
    • How the different parts of the text are linked together.” 

(Oakhill, Cain and Elbro, 2015, p.82)

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Literature Highlights

The book I will share today is a 40-page book with a Lexile measure of 900L putting it in the primary years reading level. I found this book fit nicely into many different grade levels from K-12 depending on the focus of study. Island is one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2012. 

It explains the evolution of the Galapagos Islands from the birth of an island to its demise and how the life forms inhabited and changed over time. There is a section showing a ship landing with men studying the island, but Charles Darwin is not named, nor his study or theory mentioned in the text of the book. There is a full page of information about Darwin at the end of the book.

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Blending the GSE

S3E1.c. Make observations of the local environment to construct an explanation of how water and/or wind have made changes to soil and/or rocks over time.

S3L1.b. Construct an explanation of how external features and adaptations (camouflage, hibernation, migration, mimicry) of animals allow them to survive in their habitat.

c. Use evidence to construct an explanation of why some organisms can thrive in one habitat and not another.

ELAGSE3RL1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

ELAGSE3RL3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

ELAGSE3RL6: Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.

ELAGSE3RL7: Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting).

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S5E1.a. Construct an argument supported by scientific evidence to identify surface feathers (examples include deltas, sand dunes, mountains, volcanoes) as being caused by constructive and/or destructive processes (examples could include deposition, weathering, erosion, and impact of organisms.

S5L2.a. Ask questions to compare and contrast instincts and learned behaviors.

b. Ask questions to compare and contrast inherited and acquired physical traits.

ELAGSE5RL2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

ELAGSE5RL7: Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).

ELAGSE5RI8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence supports which point(s).

ELAGSE5RI4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.

ELAGSE5RI8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence supports which point(s). ELAGSE5RI8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence supports which point(s).

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S6E5.f. Construct an explanation of how the lithospheric plates, called plate tectonics, can cause major geologic events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. (Clarification statement: include convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.)

S7L4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to examine the interdependence of organisms with one another and their environments.

S7L5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information from multiple sources to explain the theory of evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics.

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Format: few words, story in pictures

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Plants and animals come to the island.

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As the island changed, it affected the animals and plants living there.

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The changes were specific to each island depending on the environment.

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Anticipation Guide: Activate and assess students’ prior knowledge and stimulate their interest in the book by:

  • Identifying major concepts from the reading.
  • Determining ways these concepts might support or challenge students’ beliefs.
  • Creating three or four statements about the topic that address important points, concepts, ideas, and misconceptions.
  • Sharing the guide with students. Have them respond to each statement, formulate a response to it, and prepare to defend their opinion.
  • Discussing each statement with the class and having them indicate if they agree or disagree with each statement.
  • Closer Look: After examining the first four pages of the book have students select one of the objects depicted in the illustration. Then as they read the book, have them post a sticky note on each page that contains that object.

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During Reading Sticky Note Questions:

  • As students read, have them write questions on sticky notes and place them on the page that generated their question. After they have finished reading, these questions can be discussed with another student or in small groups. Pair Share: Pair students and have one be the “teller” and the other the “listener.”
  • Read aloud one or more pages from one of Jason Chin’s books. The “teller” retells the information then the “listener” adds any important details that the “teller” omitted or corrects inaccurate
  • What do I know about the subject?
  • What do I think I’ll learn?
  • Do I understand what I just read on that page?
  • What was the most information?

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Think Aloud: Model this strategy for students by asking and responding to questions as the book is read aloud:

  • What is the important information on that page?
  • How does this fit with what I have already read?

Questioning the Author: Have students construct meaning from the text by attempting to determine Chin’s purpose for writing the text and what he is trying to convey.

  • Prompt students to ask as they read:
  • What is the author trying to tell you?
  • Why is the author trying to tell you that?
  • Is that expressed clearly?”
  • Think-Pair-Share: As students read, have them ask and/or write down questions from the text and illustrations. Next, pair them with another student to discuss each others questions. Finally, students share their thinking with a small group or the whole class.
  • Click or Clunk: At the end of each sentence have students stop and ask, “Did I understand this sentence?” If they did, then they say “Click” and continue reading. If not, then they say “Clunk” and reread the sentence and discuss it with another student to make sure they are comprehending the text.

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After Reading Exit Slips:

  • Write down one thing they learned.
  • Write down one question generated from their reading.
  • Sketch one connection they had from the book.
  • What’s the Main Idea?: First have students write down the main idea of each title. Then have them list four details from each book that support their answers.
  • Compare and contrast: Provide other books or materials on each subject matter for students to read.
  • Then ask them to compare and contrast using a Venn diagram or other graphic organizer to show their thinking.
  • Coding the Text: Have students return to the text using different colored sticky notes. Designate the following colors to indicate: Blue—two new vocabulary words Pink—two examples of new information Yellow—one or two examples of the main idea Green—two examples of information that sparked a question
  • Text Flow: Write down the sentences from the book on sentence strips, then have students read the sentences in order to support fluency. Next, have them reread the book so that the text flows smoothly as they read it aloud.

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Prompting the Reader:

  • Write the following prompts on cards then have students respond to one or more of these prompts in pairs or in small groups while revisiting the text to support their response:
  • I thought . . .
  • I can’t believe . . .
  • I think the author . . .
  • I wonder why . . .
  • What if . . .
  • I was surprised . . .
  • It reminds me of . . .
  • I like the way . . .

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Tracking Tortoises: The Mission to Save a Galápagos Giant

by Kate Messner–2022 NSTA Outstanding Tradebook

“This rich ecosystem of a book is about a lot more than tortoises. It's about how science is done, by all sorts of people who put their minds together to answer important questions.”--The New York Times Book Review

•64 pages

•Lexile 1100 (middle grades – high school)

QR codes that the reader can scan

to see short video clips or sounds

of the animals and researchers.

(URL is also included)

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Is there Math in the books? Social studies?

Don’t stretch to include math if it is not evident, but there is plenty of math in this book.

  • Comparing sizes of the islands, the animals, trails
  • Timelines of what happened when
  • Charting differences of the organisms with Venn diagrams and using data in making graphs
    • There’s a book for that! 2022 NSTA Outstanding Trade book: Uma Wimple Charts Her House

Social Studies:

  • These are all about the maps, topography, geography and history of the area and how it affects the animal and plant populations.

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Yes. It takes work and time.

  • But look at what changes in the school day if you blend reading, science, social studies, and math into an entire block of learning.
  • Start small. One book; one idea; one day. Collect, gather, organize, write, plan, step back and jump! Polish as you go so it is ready for the next year.
  • Then add another one. Find another teacher who will help and then you double your output.
  • You can do this but you must start somewhere.
  • BEGIN!!! SHARE!!! STRETCH!!! IMAGINE WHAT COULD BE!!!

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Resources

  •  Scarborough, H. S. (2001). Connecting early language and literacy to later reading (dis)abilities: Evidence, theory, and practice. In S. Neuman & D. Dickinson (Eds.), Handbook for research in early literacy (pp. 97–110). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  • Oakhill, Cain & Elbro (2015). Understanding and teaching reading comprehension: A Handbook. New York, NY: Routledge
  • National Institute for Literacy. (2007). What Content-Area Teachers Should Know About Adolescent Literacy. Accessed from https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/adolescent_literacy07.pdf
  • Williams (2005). Teaching text structure improves reading comprehension Text structure should be taught starting in the primary grades.

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How to Reach Us

Amanda Buice

abuice6@kennesaw.edu

Stephanie Westhafer

swesthafer@jcss.us

Tiffany Jones

tiffany.jones@cobbk12.org

Marlee Tierce

mtierce@aol.com

GSTA Literacy Session Post-Survey

GSTA Literacy Session Post-Survey