Science and Social Studies Integration

1. Math Science and Social Studies Integration Science Social Studies Language Arts Mia Johnson, Lora Drum, Carol Moore Curriculum Specialists

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. A little more research… 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.

5. What could this look like in my classroom?

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. List-Sort-Label This 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.

9. Science and Social Studies! Science Article Is this something you think you could do in your class- room?

10. More activities to share… The National Science Teachers Association supports the notion that inquiry science must be a basic in the daily curriculum of every elementary school student at every grade level. In the last decade, numerous reports have been 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.

11. 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/

12. Kidspiration PowerPoint Photostory Glogster! Voice Threads How can I integrate technology, literacy, science and social studies?

13. Text Features! Is this the missing piece?

14. Now it is your turn to add the last piece… Lora_Drum@catawbaschools.net Mia_Johnson@catawbaschools.net Carol_Moore@catawbaschools.net

15. Backdrops: - These are full sized backdrops, just scale them up! - Can be Copy-Pasted out of Templates for use anywhere! www.animationfactory.com