Children's Ways with Science and Literacy

This book tackles the critical gap in early elementary education where science instruction often gets sidelined by narrow reading and math mandates, offering concrete evidence that integrated science-literacy approaches actually enhance learning in both domains. Through detailed classroom examples from urban primary-grade settings, the author demonstrates how the Integrated Science-Literacy Enactments (ISLE) framework creates authentic opportunities for young students to engage in scientific inquiry. The book provides empirical research showing that this method doesn't just teach science content but simultaneously builds crucial literacy skills through purposeful reading, writing, and discussion about scientific phenomena. It makes a compelling case that these integrated units are not a diversion from core academics but a powerful way to achieve them.

What sets this work apart is its focus on identity development, showing how children in diverse urban classrooms begin to see themselves as capable scientists through these literacy-infused investigations. The book will resonate most with elementary educators, curriculum specialists, and teacher educators seeking research-backed strategies to create more equitable and engaging science learning experiences. By documenting both student outcomes and teacher practices, it provides a roadmap for transforming early childhood classrooms into spaces where science and literacy mutually reinforce each other. This is essential reading for anyone committed to ensuring that our youngest learners don't miss out on the wonder of scientific discovery.