Online Courses

Adolescent Literacy: Science Comprehension Strategies

Instructor: Judy Jones

In session (began April 9)

This course is designed to provide science content area teachers with literacy strategies which can be integrated readily into their teaching to support the instruction and comprehension of the material for student success. Teachers will learn how they can use language literacy strategies to strengthen students’ achievements in science as well as reading. Teachers must have a willingness to incorporate literacy strategies in their teaching and participate fully in the course. The course participants will read about literacy strategies, research the instructional strategies, create and implement lessons using literacy tools, discuss effectiveness, reflect upon results, and work together with other participants to evaluate information and processes.

Course Goal

The goal of this course is to assist teachers in infusing literacy strategies in their teaching that will energize and accelerate the learning in their science classrooms, enabling students to succeed.

Prerequisites

Participants must be licensed, high school science teachers.

Course objectives

Although there will be a variety of activities and readings designed to teach you the specifics of Adolescent Literacy: Science Comprehension Strategies, there are five overarching objectives you’ll achieve in the course. You’ll learn:

  • The pedagogy of content literacy through readings, research, and experiences
  • Strategies for supporting content literacy in the high school classroom
  • How to work with colleagues to implement literacy strategies that support science comprehension
  • How to provide and receive peer feedback on teaching experiences
  • How to reflect upon the successes and frustrations of literacy strategy infusion in science teaching

Materials required

The course does not require a text. Participants will be asked to use resources from their classroom to practice knowledge and skills learned in this course.