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.
Recognized for Innovation
“Cultivating science skills within literacy development can be a powerful way to build reading students’ skills and learn science content at the same time. Programs that are pioneering this approach include the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading program at the University of California-Berkeley.”
—Carnegie Corp. of NY and Institute for Advanced Study Report, 2007
Research-based to Demonstrate Effectiveness
“Students who experienced the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading units demonstrated significant learning gains in science AND literacy.”
—CRESST, December 2005
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.
Reading and Writing in the Service of Inquiry-Based Science
Reading and Writing in the Service of Inquiry-based Science by Gina N. Cervetti, P. David Pearson, Marco A. Bravo, and Jacqueline Barber.
In this chapter, the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® team describe the model of the science-literacy interface that guides the program development. They explain the theoretical background for the Seeds/Roots model of integration and describe the supportive roles for text and literacy practices in inquiry-based science. The description of the model also might guide teachers, as it has guided the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading developers, in shaping appropriate and supportive roles for text and literacy practices in inquiry-based science.
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! | Available Today! | Available Today! | Available Today! |
| Grades 3-4 |
Light Energy (Physical Science) |
Weather and Water (Earth Science) |
Digestion and Body Systems
(Life Science) |
Variation and Adaptation
(Life Science) |
| Availability | Available Today! | Available Today! | Available Today! | Available Today! |
| Grades 4-5 |
Aquatic Ecosystems (Life Science) |
Planets and Moons (Earth Science) |
Chemical Changes
(Physical Science) |
Models of Matter (Physical Science) |
| Availability | Available Today! | Available Today! | Available Today! | Available Today! |