March

=March - Content Literacy: Reading for Understanding in Social Studies and Science

Content? That's science and social studies, right? That's those subjects, especially social studies, that often get relegated to a 30-minute block here or there, twice a week if we're lucky? Integration is the ticket here and we are all aware that integrating subjects - true integration - takes time too. What do we do?

I found the list on page 207 helpful when thinking about how to best spend time with these areas. I often worry about how a learning experience will translate into grades for the gradebook. I am trying to focus more on the thinking I'm asking the students to do than simply written output. Sometimes, the learning can just be in the doing. Agree or disagree?

Yes I agree, but then where do we the grades from and artifacts to show parents?? Maybe we can think about project based learning?? Also especially fifth grade science EOG there should be some type of vocabulary reinforcement. Does anyone have ideas for science in relation to the EOG? I want to do more experiments and investigates but time, enough matierals, and planning always seem to be an issue.

Project based learning sounds good, but like so many other things that have come down the pipe recently, I don't feel that I know enough about that to do a good job with it. I am all for integrated lessons whenever possible. Sometimes when I take a grade on an assignment like a research project, I use that grade in more than one subject, such as reading and social studies or writing and science, for example. But you're right, like it or not grades are a constant issue. Since we have gone to six weeks grading periods I find grading to be even more of a burden. -K.Wilson