Reading and Writing in Science: Tools to Develop Disciplinary Literacy

"Science teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists will find this helpful book a great starting point for teaching the language of science―reading, writing, and speaking about science to engage the powerful ideas of the discipline. The tried-and-true, research-based practices explained in this highly readable and inviting volume provide many with the start they need to successfully support science literacy development."
―Patricia L. Anders, Distinguished Professor
University of Arizona

Help students access content in ways that foster understanding and critical thinking in science!

Science literacy goes beyond learning facts and concepts in a classroom. Rather, science literacy enables students to continue to learn, reflect, and communicate about science throughout their lives. Reading and Writing in Science provides an approach for building students′ disciplinary literacy so they can learn from science texts, reflect on content, generate new ideas, and share content-based thoughts.

Written by a science educator and a literacy expert, this resource gives middle and high school science teachers specific strategies and tools for guiding students as they approach science texts and produce their own writing. The authors show teachers how to:

• Build students′ background knowledge and discipline-specific vocabulary
• Develop students′ science reading skills while they access content
• Use writing frames, graphic organizers, writing-to-learn, and a writing protocol to get students started on science writing
• Improve instruction and target specific needs through formative assessment

Help your students develop disciplinary literacy so they can learn about, think about, and write about science in school and beyond.

Douglas Fisher is a professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Fisher was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, leadership, and curriculum design, as well as books such as Your Introduction to PLC+, Welcome to Teaching, How Feedback Works, Teaching Reading, and RIGOR Unveiled. Fisher loves being an educator and hopes to share that passion with others.