At one time, it was
routine to integrate ELA lessons and content-area instruction. Then Congressed
passed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and everything changed.
Suddenly, math and
ELA instruction were prioritized, and students started taking standardized
tests to track their progress. Because the school day is only so long, increasing
the time devoted to math and ELA meant reducing the time for other subjects,
most notably science and social studies.
Fast forward a
couple of decades, and—big surprise—young adults don’t have the science and
social studies knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the workplace or as
citizens.
Some educators have
been expressing their concern for years. Recently, one of them—Nell K. Duke, a
highly-regarded professor in literacy, language, and culture at the University
of Michigan—decided to do something tangible to help raise awareness. She made a
YouTube
video, which I encourage you to watch.
been expressing their concern for years. Recently, one of them—Nell K. Duke, a
highly-regarded professor in literacy, language, and culture at the University
of Michigan—decided to do something tangible to help raise awareness. She made a
YouTube
video, which I encourage you to watch.
Like Dr. Duke, I
think it’s high time to develop lessons that teach science and ELA simultaneously.
Bonus point if you can sneak in some math or social studies too. To find
lessons that can get you started, I recommend Perfect Pairs: Using Fiction and
Nonfiction Picture Books to Teach Life Science, which aligns with state ELA
standards as well as the Next Generation Science Standards.There’s one volume
specifically for grades K-2, and a second volume for grades 3-5. You can also
find all the children’s books recommended in Perfect Pairs on my
pinterest boards. I hope you find these resources useful.
think it’s high time to develop lessons that teach science and ELA simultaneously.
Bonus point if you can sneak in some math or social studies too. To find
lessons that can get you started, I recommend Perfect Pairs: Using Fiction and
Nonfiction Picture Books to Teach Life Science, which aligns with state ELA
standards as well as the Next Generation Science Standards.There’s one volume
specifically for grades K-2, and a second volume for grades 3-5. You can also
find all the children’s books recommended in Perfect Pairs on my
pinterest boards. I hope you find these resources useful.
And for even more
ideas, hop on over LitLinks,
a blog maintained by author Patricia Newman, winner of the Sibert Honor for Sea
Otter Heroes: The Predators that Saved an Ecosystem.
ideas, hop on over LitLinks,
a blog maintained by author Patricia Newman, winner of the Sibert Honor for Sea
Otter Heroes: The Predators that Saved an Ecosystem.
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