The Science and Literacy Connection
EDC’s Center for Science Education collaborates with schools and school districts to design and conduct professional development programs for teachers serving students in grades 3–5. With National Science Foundation support, we have developed a series of workshops for teachers to develop their understanding of and skills in using literacy effectively in the science classroom. Our materials include guidelines for professional developers and a wide array of resources including classroom videos, classroom transcripts, student work, and related documents. Our approach to the science and literacy connection focuses on discourse and writing and is based in the following assumptions.
- Effective science instruction develops students’ ability to think and reason scientifically.
- The development of the ability to think and reason scientifically depends on discourse, writing, and reading as well as direct investigation.
- Student use of discourse, writing, and reading skills in science requires explicit instruction.
- There are many overlapping skills and processes students learn in a comprehensive literacy program and an inquiry-based science program.
We can work with your school or district to:
- Review the science and literacy programs in place and identify the natural connection between them.
- Design a professional development program for teachers
- Conduct training programs for trainers or teachers
We are available to work in multiple formats including:
- Presentations
- Institutes for teachers and/or professional developers;
- Workshops, preferably in a multi-session format
- Consultation and technical assistance
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Karen Worth at kworth@edc.org or 617-618-2428
