Reading and Science

A Home Science Reading Project

Reading and Science

Grant Dr. Zhihui Fang in Reading Dr. Rose Pringle in Science Dr. Linda Leonard Lamme in children’s literature

Research Project to determine if 15 minute reading mini-lesson Books read at home Impact students learning in science and reading

Reading Research Support

Factors that influence school success:Reading at home Reading trade books in addition to textbooksBridging the gap between home and schoolMore time spent readingBook AccessBook qualityOpportunities for reader response

Science Research

Reading science books increases science knowledge

Home involvement increases science knowledge

Books increase interest in science

Goals

Increase science knowledgeIncrease reading abilityIncrease time spent readingIncrease exposure to high quality science

literatureIncrease family interactions with booksDevelop positive attitudes toward science and

reading

Program Development

Purchase good books Accurate Science Well-written NSTA Outstanding books Orbis Pictus Books Variety of reading levels Broad coverage of science areas

Book BinsCheckout sheetsBook Record Forms

Procedures

Check out booksReturn books one week laterFill out Reading Record FormsRespond to booksCheck out new books

Data Sources

Classroom Observation during checkout and book returns

Interviews of StudentsReading Record FormsCheckout recordsStudent surveysParent surveys

Issues and Solutions

Time Streamline checkout

Too few books Purchase a few moreVoluntary ParticipationTeacher buy-inTeacher ModelBook loss Labels

Findings

Standardized tests with Control Group Significantly higher reading scores Significantly higher science knowledge No significant difference in attitudes toward

science or reading

Findings

Students read up to 20 science books Book selection critical Some students did not read any books Some books were popular Some students preferred one branch of

science

Checkout Conversations

I’m gonna share this with my Dad!Where’s the frog book? I wanted the

frog book!Ahhhh! Birds!You got THAT book? Wow!I want that one. It’s Mine!Hurry up. I want to start reading.

Book Responses

Factual The biggest muscle in your body is your thigh How lions fight

Bizarre People flush stupid things down a toilet A dude lived for 7 years with a spike in his head

Analytical Forced wording (Edison worked tirelessly) Websites to verify information

Role of Teacher

Elaborate Provide science terminology Ask questions to keep attention Relate book to curriculum Ask science questions Tell personal stories

Family Perspectives

Loved the program Read some of the books Discussed the books Wanted more information about the program Varied in the amount of participation Complained about a Charles Darwin book

Next Study

Train teachers How to find good books How to teach about nonfiction informational

books - formats, etc. How to organize program

Need to make it a requirementBetter communication with families

Student Perspectives

Varied greatly Participated weekly Participated occasionally Never participated

Wanted more book selections Thought the program should be mandatory A few stated that reading was a burden A few said that reading brought their family

together

Trends in Nonfiction Literature

Accuracy and authenticity Narrative nonfiction Student appeal Multiple genres Focus on one small topic Thorough coverage Diversity of issues and topics

Parting Thoughts

Feelings of the researcher Thrilled

To purchase so many good books To see the enthusiasm of the students To hear the conversations about books That the teachers continued the program

Concerned That those who needed it most did not participate That the program costs money