Download Content Literacy

Content Literacy in
Math and Science
What can we do to improve it?
Confessions of a
Struggling Reader
“But, I did read the chapter!”
“I’m supposed to look at the figures?”
“I’m supposed to look up unfamiliar
words?”
“I should self-assess for comprehension?”
“I’m supposed to make notes and write
questions as I read?”
“I’m supposed to read the chapter
summary?”
What does it mean?
Comprehending technical text is an art.
It is a skill you are not born with.
It can be taught/learned.
It is a skill that should be taught/learned.
It should be taught in math/science
classes.
It plays a bigger role than you think in
learning technical subjects.
Eighth Grade Science
Physical Science
Force and Motion
Newton’s Second Law
AK Standards on the 2nd Law
AK 10th Grade Science SBA
To comprehend the question . . .
•
•
•
•
•
Does student push ball or roll it?
A pushed ball will slide before rolling.
What does “small amount mean?”
A hollow ball rolls differently than a solid ball.
“Hollow” and “solid” implies masses are
different.
• “Understanding force and its effect on an
object.”
• Effect implies result.
The answer has
• Nothing to do with the shape of the balls.
• Nothing to do with whether the ball rolls or
slides.
• Nothing to do with whether the push is with a
small or large amount of force.
• Nothing to do with the masses of the balls.
• Nothing to do with the effect on the ball.
• More to do with ignoring words than knowing
physics.
Vocabulary (Tier II or III?)
Force
Mass
Acceleration
Kilograms
Meters
newtons
Velocity
These are the tricky ones:
• Mass and weight are not the same.
• Speed and velocity are not the same.
• Acceleration is not just “speeding up.”
Units
Force in newtons
Mass in Kilograms ≠Weight in pounds
Time in seconds
Acceleration in meters/second2
Speed in meters/second
Velocity in meters/second in some
direction
Vocabulary in visualization
F=
m=
a=
Force = the mass times the acceleration
F
= m x
F m
=
a
x a
Vocabulary built on animation
Vocabulary built on Experience
Hold different masses in your hand
Mass o Meter
Accelerometer
Force meter
Pushing and pulling on ice or skate
boards
NAEP 2nd Law Question
AK SBA Question
AK SBA Question
SBA from CA
SBA from MA
Conclusions