Promoting Literacy

Anyi Chomtin
 Importance of Literacy Instruction Across Grades
❖ Elementary:
➢ Building foundational skills in phonics and comprehension.
➢ Benefits: builds confidence, improves phonics, and
supports comprehension.
❖ Middle School:
➢ Expanding vocabulary, critical thinking, and reading
fluency.
➢ Benefits: enhances critical thinking and fosters a love for
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❖ High School:
➢ Mastery of complex texts, analytical skills, and effective
communication.
➢ Benefits: equips students with analysis and interpretation
skills essential for academic and career success.
Phonology, Language Development, Reading Achievement
Why Literacy Matters:

Literacy is foundational for success in all subjects and grades.

Key Components:

❖ Phonology:
➢ Sound structures of language.
➢ Helps students decode words, recognize sounds, and understand language
structure.
❖ Language Development:
➢ Builds vocabulary, language understanding, comprehension, and
communication skills.
❖ Reading Achievement:
➢ Ability to read fluently with comprehension.
➢ Combines phonology and language development for effective reading and
comprehension.
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Improved literacy leads to academic success across disciplines.

Benefits of Literacy Instruction in High School Science
Enhanced Understanding of Scientific Concepts Strengthened Scientific Communication

● Helps students decode complex terms for a ● Encourages clarity in writing lab reports,
deeper grasp of biology and chemistry forming hypotheses, and articulating
concepts. conclusions, which are essential for
science-based assessments.
Improved Data Interpretation Skills Preparation for Future Studies and Careers
● Literacy supports reading graphs, analyzing ● Builds the analytical reading and
trends, and interpreting research findings, communication skills needed in STEM fields,
critical for experiments and real-world preparing students for college and technical
applications. careers.

Ability to Follow Multi-Step Procedures

● Strong literacy skills aid in comprehending

detailed lab instructions, reducing errors and
boosting confidence in hands-on experiments.

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Signs of Literacy Needs in High School Science
❖ Struggles with Scientific Vocabulary
➢ eg.) Avoids or misuses key terms
❖ Difficulty with Reading Comprehension
➢ eg.) Misinterprets scientific texts, lab instructions,
or research articles
❖ Challenges in Data Analysis
➢ eg.)Trouble reading charts, graphs, and making
data-driven conclusions
❖ Issues Following Complex Lab Instructions https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.opententacademy.com%2Fsometimes
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❖ Avoidance of Scientific Writing & Class Discussions

➢ eg.) Hesitates to write detailed reports or
participate in discussions
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1. Early Literacy Assessment

a. Regularly screen students for literacy
needs and comprehension levels
2. Encourage Reading Across Subjects
a. Assign scientific papers, case studies,
and data interpretations in all subjects
3. Scaffold Complex Texts and Assignments
a. Break down instructions and texts, with
guided discussions (socratic seminars)

Plan of Action
4. Cross-Department Literacy Collaboration
a. Coordinate with departments to share
strategies/resources for support
to Improve Literacy Skills in
High School Students