Reading Scientifically: Practices Supporting Intertextual Reading Using Science Knowledge

Abstract

This paper reports on a study of teachers’ actions when reading informational and narrative texts in the context of elementary science learning experiences. Focusing on the development of fundamental and derived senses of science literacy through the integrated science lessons, the research further explores the affordances of different genres of text in science learning. The findings highlight that teacher actions can support students engaging in inquiry provoked during reading events. However, this was not easy to do and required more than providing students with opportunities to discuss and share their questions. Furthermore, the study revealed that purposes for reading and the notion of making predictions were contextualized activities that impact the nature of students’ engagement with texts. Based on these findings it is possible to make inferences that raise questions for future research. The construct of fundamental and derived senses of science literacy revealed that most of the actions of teachers focused on fundamental senses. Yet, there were moments of derived senses of science literacy that offer glimpses of the usefulness of this construct for supporting integrated learning. Thus the outcome is to consider this framework when developing integrated learning experiences in science.

Keywords:

• Language and literacy
• Reading
• Teacher actions
• Integration
• Science literacy
• Texts

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the Elon University’s Faculty Research and Development program and the Hultquist Award for supporting this work. In addition, I am most grateful to the thoughtful, supportive, and helpful reviews received by the anonymous reviewers and the editor.