The Essentials of Science and Literacy: A Guide for Teachers

The twenty-first century has brought with it considerable buzz surrounding the connections between science and literacy. Karen Worth and her colleagues have been at the center of this discussion for more than a decade, and they share their very practical ideas and insights.

―Lori Fulton

Author of Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry

The voice of real teachers is loud and clear―the centerpiece of this very readable and profoundly helpful book. It will be extraordinarily helpful for anyone interested in using writing and talk to enhance the learning in a classroom where students have a direct experience with science as inquiry.

―Harold Pratt

Past NSTA president

The case for cross-disciplinary collaboration is supported by moving testimonials from classroom teachers who joined the authors in their quest for a deeper understanding of the science-literacy connection. A must read for teachers in either domain.

―Peter Dow

Author of Outdoor Inquiries: Taking Science Investigations Outside the Classroom

Essentials of Science and Literacyprovides classroom teachers with a wealth of classroom tested and research-based best practices designed to engage students. It addresses one of the major shortcomings in many classrooms, providing students with the time and opportunity to make sense and to communicate their understanding of the science investigation they are engaged in.

―Mike Klentschy

Author of Scaffolding Science Inquiry Through Lesson Design

Karen Worth and her colleagues understand the link between science and literacy connection. Their book is filled with both practical strategies and thought-provoking ideas that invite you to explore how the literacy teaching you may already be doing can be used in science instruction to the benefit of learning and thinking in both domains.

This highly readable and profoundly insightful book has three straightforward sections:

• Essentials, from the nature of scientific inquiry to the importance of teacher questions
• Talk, from creating a culture of talk to gathering ideas and making meaning
• Writing, from the anatomy of science notebooks to their implementation and to writing beyond the notebook.

A study guide is also included, making Essentials of Science and Literacy ideal for book study with your PLC or preservice teachers.

Let Essentials of Science and Literacy inspire you to see the natural fit between your inquiry science teaching and your balanced literacy instruction.

Lori Fulton is an Assistant Professor of teacher education at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. A former elementary teacher, she has been involved in the process of teacher change and professional development in the area of science for over 15 years.

Karen Worth is nationally known for her work in the science-literacy connection and science for young students. She is the lead author for Science & Literacy, Heinemann’s groundbreaking professional development program. She is a Senior Research Scientist at Education Development Center, Inc. She also teaches in the School of Education and Child Life at Wheelock College. Karen has been a consultant for many organizations, including public television, on science for pre-K through elementary school. She was also a member of the development team for the National Science Education Standards.

Jeff Winokur is nationally known for his work in the science-literacy connection and science for young children. He is part of the author team for Science & Literacy, Heinemann’s groundbreaking professional development program. He works in science education at both the Education Development Center and Wheelock College, specializing in early childhood and elementary student learning. He has worked in the field for more than 30 years teaching children, conducting science professional development programs, and teaching pre-service and in-service courses in the teaching of science to children.

Sally Crissman is nationally known for her work in the science-literacy connection and science for young students. She is part of the author team for Science & Literacy, Heinemann’s groundbreaking professional development program. She is a Senior Science Educator at TERC after a long career as a science teacher and leader of professional development institutes. Sally has been a consultant for many organizations, including public television, on a wide variety of topics including science programs for children, and professional development for teachers.

Martha Davis is part of the nationally known author team for Science & Literacy, a groundbreaking professional development program on the science-literacy connection. She is a curriculum and Instructional Design Associate at the Center for Science Education at EDC where she has been involved with the K-12 Science Curriculum Dissemination Center among other projects. Martha spent seven years as a science program specialist in the Needham Public Schools in Massachusetts and was a research assistant for many years at Harvard Project Zero.