All teachers want to engage students in meaningful learning activities. This is true for every grade level and subject. How can teachers accomplish that goal with elementary school science? Pair lessons in science for elementary students with literacy skills for a winning combination. This cross-curricular approach incorporates authentic literacy tasks into another content area, ultimately strengthening interest and understanding of both.
Enriching literacy connections with new Gizmos resources
ExploreLearning understands the importance of literacy development and critical thinking skills. That’s why we’re developing literacy lessons for elementary students for our Gizmos resources. With these new supplementary materials, Gizmos science lesson plans will also include ties to reading and writing skills for well-rounded, robust activities that easily allow for differentiation.
Why is literacy important?
What is the goal of literacy development? When students learn to read and write, the world opens up for them. Literacy goes beyond the walls of the school building and into every aspect of life. A strong foundation in literacy sets the stage for students to strengthen comprehension and communication skills in other areas. Developing language skills along with reading and writing proficiency is imperative for current and future success.
Literature Connection to the Summer and Winter Gizmo
Wrap-Up literature connection activity
The interplay of literacy and STEM: Strategies for integration
Let’s face it. Teachers only have so many hours in a school day, and literacy instruction takes the leading role in elementary classrooms. Finding time for STEM education in already packed schedules can even seem overwhelming. That’s why teaching math and science with literacy activities for elementary students makes sense.
How can elementary math and science lesson plans incorporate literacy? Start with read-aloud time and storytelling. Use stories and poems that include math and science concepts. This provides extra reading practice and strengthens understanding of the content area material. Read the books and discuss the key concepts. Add another layer by asking students to write about their understanding. The writing piece could be another ending to the story or even a new chapter, complete with their own illustrations. Asking students to read, write, and draw about their learning helps to promote a growth mindset and enhances Depth of Knowledge. Combine their stories in a class book to add to your library.
Literature Connection to the Effect of Environment on New Life Form Gizmo
Example of comprehension questions and wrap-up activity
The new STEM-literacy fusion in Gizmos for elementary teachers and students
Gizmos make it easy to enhance and support STEM learning. The new literacy connections in elementary Gizmos empower teachers to present math and science concepts and boost reading skills simultaneously. The supplementary materials create opportunities for students to reinforce literacy and expand their understanding of STEM concepts.
Tying literacy to science is a snap with Gizmos! There is no need to worry about searching for titles that match concepts or having access to video versions of the books. They’re already linked with the Gizmo! Besides read-aloud book connections that expand the Gizmo concepts, what else is new for teachers?
- Openers and Wrap-Ups
- Comprehension questions
- Task cards and Mini-Exploration sheets
- Discussion and writing prompts
Elementary literacy connections are currently available in many math and science Gizmos. Development will continue until all elementary Gizmos include literacy connections, enabling a seamless cross-curricular approach. There’s even more in the Educator Resource Hub for teachers to dig deeper with Gizmos.
What are you waiting for? Help your students understand STEM concepts and promote literacy at the same time with a Gizmos trial.
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