Teachers have had the same problem since the beginning of time…How do you fit everything in each day?! My time in the classroom was often spent trying to multitask, overlap subjects, and teach ALL the things effectively and proficiently. I’ve learned a few things over the years, and I want to share it all with you! This new blog series is all about how to integrate science and social studies curriculum into your reading block. Designing activities to be cross-curricular was my favorite way to save time while teaching all the standards I needed.
This first post in the series is just an overview of ideas to get you thinking. I will go into more depth about each of these in the coming weeks. Here are my 5 top ways for integrating science and social studies into your elementary classroom reading block!
1. Use informational text in whole group or small group lessons
I loved to incorporate informational text into reading that aligned with science and social studies standards. Students are learning about pertinent topics while practicing reading skills like cause and effect, fact v. opinion, comparing perspectives/texts on same topic, and more. Informational text is also great for practicing reading from diagrams and text features.
2. practice Topic Specific Vocabulary
Learning new vocabulary makes students better readers and communicators. Science and social studies texts include a lot of content specific words, so it can easily be taught during the reading block. Introduce and practice new vocabulary by using vocabulary posters, foldables, context clues graphic organizers, sentence writing, etc.
3. Write about the text
Connecting social studies/ science content with writing can be done easily. Use summary writing, explanatory writing, steps in a process writing and more!
4. Learning center ideas
I love using learning centers in the classroom so I can teach small group or individually. Make the most of this time with science/ social studies content-based center activities. Try using text based writing, informational video notes, doodle notes, task cards, reading books on topic and using technology like boom cards to review topics taught.
5. Early finisher ideas
Have some options on the early finisher choice board that incorporate your science and social studies standards! Choice boards give kids freedom to pick something they are interested in, but that also is educational and teacher approved! Why not add some fun and engaging science and ss on that list too!
Over the course of this blog series I will break down each of these 5 ideas and share specifics with you on how it could look in YOUR classroom. The great thing is so many products (that you may already own!) can easily work with this. I can’t wait to share it all with you and I give you some ideas to fit it all in!
Series Post #1: How to integrate science and social studies text into reading instruction
Happy Teaching!
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