Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading
Can You Teach Science and Literacy at the Same Time?
YES, the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading program makes integration of science instruction and literacy instruction possible! In fact, doing so increases the effectiveness of student learning in both! Research and classroom testing on curricular integration has clearly demonstrated that integrating science and literacy can advance student learning in both.
The Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading development team is led by the Associate Director of Lawrence Hall of Science, Jacqueline Barber, and literacy specialist Dr. Gina Cervetti, working with one of the nation's top experts on reading and literacy, P. David Pearson. It is a partnership of U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Education and Lawrence Hall of Science, with support from the National Science Foundation. The program has been field-tested by teachers from diverse school districts and populations nationwide. There is a strong emphasis on reaching English language learners. Results speak to what teachers have long suspected: students who learn science and literacy in an integrated fashion make significantly greater gains in both science and literacy learning..
The approach is based on three guiding principles:
- Engage students in first- and second-hand investigations to make sense of the natural world.
- Employ multiple learning modalities: Do it. Talk it. Read it. Write it.
- Capitalize on science-literacy synergies.
- Additional information on these guiding principles
Why Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading?
- Integration of science content and literacy skills and strategies optimizes instructional time.
- Units are aligned to National Science and Reading standards, as well as standards for English Language Development.
- Students surpass expectations and transition to content-area reading and writing in later grades with confidence and success.
- Advice on best practices in both fields is woven throughout the program to ensure acquisition of comprehension, vocabulary and fluency goals, as well as strong gains in science conceptual understanding and science inquiry abilities.
Unit Overview & Program Availability
| 8 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 4 Weeks | |
| Grades 2-3 | Soil Habitats (Life Science) |
Shoreline Science (Earth Science) |
Designing Mixtures (Physical Science) |
Gravity and Magnetism (Physical Science) |
| Availability | Available Today! Order Online |
Available Today! Order Online |
Available Today! Order Online |
In Development |
| Grades 3-4 | Light Energy (Physical Science) |
Weather and Water (Earth Science) |
Digestion and Body Systems (Life Science) |
Variation and Adaptation (Life Science) |
| Availability | In Development | In Development | In Development | In Development |
| Grades 4-5 | Aquatic Ecosystems (Life Science) |
Planets and Moons (Earth Science) |
Chemical Changes (Physical Science) |
Models of Matter (Physical Science) |
| Availability | In Development | In Development | In Development | In Development |