Our Book
Our Book
Fail-Safe Strategies for Science and Literacy
Classroom activities to engage students in thinking, exploring, and making sense of the world
Testimonials
Anna Tardella, Former Academic Coordinator, K-12 Literacy
Fail-Safe Strategies for Science and Literacy
Sandra and Lionel have created an invaluable resource for educators that is both practical for classroom teachers and learning coaches and hands-on for students of all ages and abilities. Fail-Safe Strategies for Science and Literacy focuses on supporting students in effectively using literacy strategies to learn key science concepts.
What makes the book practical for classroom teachers? It’s a collection of 25 engaging, ready-to-use science and literacy lessons complete with a variety of student-friendly tools designed to enhance student learning. More importantly for classroom teachers, learning coaches, department heads and administrators, the fail-safe strategies presented in this book can be seamlessly integrated across curriculum areas, grade levels and with students at different points in their learning journey. The integration not only saves teachers time in both planning and assessment of student learning but also allows them to assess their students through multiple lenses all at the same time.
How does the hands-on approach in this book engage students and enhance their learning experience? The 25 tried and true hands-on activities and accompanying lessons invite students to think about and explore the world around them. As students investigate science concepts with potatoes, raisins or soda pop - what student wouldn’t enjoy that? - they will be observing, wondering and making predictions. These Thinking Routines along with Failsafe Strategies like questioning and vocabulary building help students learn key concepts in science while being immersed in a literacy-rich environment. Students of all ages and abilities will feel supported and enjoy their learning, all at the same time.
Bottom-line, FailSafe Strategies for Science and Literacy is a win for teachers and a win for students. Teachers gain an invaluable resource that streamlines planning and supports instruction while students will find themselves engaged and supported in authentic, dynamic and meaningful learning. Explore the benefits of this book by following this link: https://buff.ly/3F3gQYO
Lynnette Werner, Former Literacy Consultant and Elementary Teacher
"Failsafe Strategies for Science and Literacy" is a game-changing resource for J/I educators looking to seamlessly integrate literacy and the science curriculum. Juggling a number of subject areas, addressing numerous expectations and facing rigid time constraints are onerous challenges that J/I teachers face. In addition, not all educators come to the classroom with an expertise in teaching science or literacy. This book will help you meet these challenges with 25 easy-to-implement science activities that develop scientific content knowledge and thinking skills while integrating literacy through authentic connections to language arts. The authors clearly explain the scientific concepts involved in each activity. In addition, the anchor charts and graphic organizers support both teaching and learning.
Included are inquiry-based lessons that develop thinking skills through 5 “Thinking Routines” (observe & wonder, predict & infer, sort & categorize, interpret & analyze, conclude & apply). Each lesson offers connections that may involve reading/viewing, writing, listening and speaking. Vocabulary development and reading strategy use are also addressed. These lessons and thinking routines can be connected across grades to multiple science and language strands.
The first section, "Thinking Routines Linking Science and Literacy," provides the research base for these thinking skills. It delves into the cognitive science behind learning, offering a comprehensive understanding of how the brain processes information. Introductory activities to the “Thinking Routines,” like "The Missing Potato Report" and "Making Tree-mendous Inferences," are sure to engage students in critical thinking and sense making in our classrooms.
The second section provides practical examples of how to integrate literacy strategies into the 25 science activities. What stands out is how practical the book is; while based on theoretical concepts, it’s also a treasure trove of science activities and literacy strategies. Specific activities like "See, Think, Wonder" coupled with the “Drops of Water on a Coin," exemplify how scientific inquiry can be enhanced when applying an intentional literacy approach. Strategy use and student-friendly organizers support students’ working memory while ensuring a “failsafe” learning experience.
What truly resonates is the authors' recognition that literacy is a foundational tool not only for scientific exploration but for all areas of learning! By intertwining these disciplines, the book doesn't just support improved academic performance but it also nurtures critical thinking and communication skills that are essential for student engagement and future success.
L. Van Horne on amazon.ca
“ As a new teacher, I find this book a great resource when thinking of fun and creative ways to teach science and literacy. The activities are explained well, are easy to understand, and are adaptable to your classroom. I used the Inference Cube activity with two grade 7 classes and the students loved it and were very engaged in the lesson/activity. I will be using the other activities in the book in my future classrooms.” (L. Van Horne on amazon.ca)
B. Caverhill on amazon.ca
“Classroom teachers know time is in short supply. The activities in this book are explained quickly and easily. Students enjoy the assignments and they are informative and fun! Lots to learn from this great book about blending science & literacy.” (B. Caverhill on amazon.ca)
R. Alexander, elementary teacher on amazon.ca
“This is an incredible resource which I would highly recommend for student engagement. By utilizing the strategies, students were continually revisiting their thoughts, perspectives and wonderings.” (R. Alexander, elementary teacher on amazon.ca)
