Teaching Science to Every Child:
Using Culture as a Starting Point
Chapter 12
Integrating Science
with Other Subjects
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Chapter 12 Topics
Integrating without Diluting the Science
Language Arts Infused into Science
Selecting Texts to Use for Science
Writing and Other Forms of Inscription
Science Notebooking
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Not Diluting Science during Integration
Thematic units can misrepresent science
Natural objects (apples, butterflies) are not automatically
science
A unit including science should include process skills and
inquiry
Themes should have solid concepts at their core
Blending science with language arts is important yet delicate
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Language Arts and Science
Reading and writing can support science
Good sequence: “Do first, read later”
The intrigue from science can encourage reading
Direct experiences are then supported by texts
Read during Explain phase to strengthen understandings
Non-fiction helps make connections in inquiry
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Selecting Science Texts
Variety of texts needed across reading levels
The genre of science ought to be explained
Informational texts using pictures in unique ways
Choose books with substantive science content
Avoid texts that oversimplify the scientific explanations
Check that books don’t reinforce stereotypes
Incorporate non-fiction into whole class read-alouds
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Writing and Other Ways of Inscribing
Writing can be used to demonstrate what one knows
Also, the process of writing can clarify one’s knowledge
Inscribing includes words, diagrams, graphs, etc.
One Minute Take: A quick free write about science
Writing process and products support metacognition
Concept maps are a valuable way to write science
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Concept Map
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Science Notebooks
Notebooks can serve many purposes
Be clear to yourself and students about your expectations
Instead of lab reports, try the Science Writing Heuristic
Decide on the style of writing you expect from students
Give thought to when you will read notebooks
Be thoughtful about the feedback: grades? or conversational?
Graphs are reasonable “writing” to include in notebooks
Notebooks can support science language use for ELLs
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012
Chapter 12 Summary
Be honest about the science in an integrated unit
Look for ways to support science via language arts
Be creative yet critical about text selection for science
Writing and other inscription (concept maps) are powerful
Science notebooks benefit learning with clear expectations
©Routledge/Taylor & Francis 2012