So... one of the big AH-HA's I (we) had in our saga group discussion on literacy was should science teachers inspire and engage students with an activity FIRST and then read about it... or... should we read to learn and build prior knowledge BEFORE we do the activity or hands-on experience?
At the time I was intrigued but not sure where I stood (or stand.) Recently someone was awarded the Nobel Prize for determining how some cancer cells move around the body. They called it: "Cat and Mouse" or "Run and Chase." I was looking on Science Daily to see if I could find an article covering the idea. I found one and when I cut and paste it the article was one page long. 6 small paragraphs. Seemingly simple. Accept most of the words used were vocabulary that I knew most of my students would not be familiar with.
So... literacy to the rescue.
On the back of the sheet I put 9 squares. The title was "SAY WHAT?"
I asked my students to "scan" the article and highlight any terms that they couldn't define on their own.
Then they had to use a dictionary or i-phone I look up the definitions and shorten them in their own words.
Then they had to replace the word in the article with the "easier version/definition" in the margins.
Next, re-read the article to see if they could get the "jist" of it.
And finally, draw a picture of what they taught the cell "cat and mouse" game looked like inside the body!
It took most of the hour, but I think they will be ready for a great conversation on Monday about cells, cancer, cellular movement, and the visualization they will have to get used to doing IN THEIR MIND as we embark on our journey "into" the small world of THE CELL.
I'm still not sure where I stand... DO then READ... READ then DO...
In this case reading first was the better option. Wow it was a lot of work. English teachers must be busy!
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