Beyond Read Aloud: Integrating Science and Literacy While Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners

The poster session presents a project depicting collaboration among university faculty and seven rural school districts. The goal was to increase science knowledge of young children, including English Language Learners and Developmentally Delayed students. Objectives included increasing: the teaching and learning of science through language arts; teachers’ sense of self-efficacy in meeting the needs of ELL; teachers’ understanding of the benefits of inclusion, and; developing a community of learners.

Teachers engaged in experiential activities to learn how to teach science and language arts in an integrated way with adaptations for ELL and DD students. Follow-up training promoted implementation of instructional strategies. An electronic community of learners actively engages all parties in sharing ideas and experiences throughout the following academic year.