Literacy Integration

Science and literacy are natural partners. By using Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, teachers can efficiently prepare students to meet both science and English language arts (ELA) standards. Not only are Common Core connections highlighted throughout each Teacher Guide, each module integrates a Smithsonian Science Stories Literacy Series book and student STEM notebooks.

Mapping Earth, a grade two book, is part of the Smithsonian Science Stories Literacy Series.

Readings are incorporated into lessons in each module. The reading level is carefully calibrated to grade-level appropriate Lexile measurements according to Common Core text complexity guidelines. Recognizing that many students are not reading at grade level, below-grade level versions of each reader are available. All Smithsonian Science Stories Literacy Series books are available in Spanish.

Students obtain information from text to help them solve an ocean-pollution problem.

Students engage with informational text by reflecting and communicating like scientists and engineers. They use informational text to gather evidence and discuss and record their questions, predictions, claims, and explanations in their notebooks. Research shows that writing about science helps students’ ideas become more structured and coherent.

Understanding of science concepts increases when students write.

Speaking and listening are two important elements of literacy. Students have opportunities to effectively communicate their ideas though speech and actively listen to other ideas that are presented.

The Smithsonian Science for the Classroom literacy approach will have students acting like scientists as they read, write, speak, and listen.

Students discuss the results of their work with their peers.