Great news for multitasking middle school teachers: Science educators Terry Shiverdecker and Jessica Fries-Gaither can help you blend inquiry-based science and literacy instruction to support student learning and maximize your time. Several unique features make Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers in Middle School a valuable resource:
Lessons integrate all aspects of literacy—reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. The texts are relevant nonfiction, including trade books, newspaper and magazine articles, online material, infographics, and even videos. A learning-cycle framework helps students deepen their understanding with data collection and analysis before reading about a concept. Ten investigations support current standards and encompass life, physical, and Earth and space sciences. Units range from “Chemistry, Toys, and Accidental Inventions” to “Thermal Energy: An Ice Cube’s Kryptonite!” The authors have made sure the book is teacher-friendly. Each unit comes with scientific background, a list of common misconceptions, an annotated text list, safety considerations, differentiation strategies, reproducible student pages, and assessments.
This middle school resource is a follow-up to the authors’ award-winning Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers for grades 3–5, which one reviewer called “very thorough, and any science teacher’s dream to read.” The book will change the way you think about engaging your students in science and literacy.
