Writing in
Science
The
Expository Writing and Science Notebooks Program was first
developed and implemented in 1999. It is a unique model of
professional development and support for teachers that is designed
to meet the following goals for students:
- development of
conceptual understanding, scientific skills, and scientific
thinking;
- improved skills in
expository writing; and
- enhanced performance
on state tests in science and expository writing.
Currently, the science
writing program offers professional development and supplementary
instructional and curriculum materials specific to each of the
eighteen K-5 science kits. Two types of courses are
offered:
- Introductory Classes -
A 3-hour course providing the foundation of the science writing
approach
- Grade Level Sessions -
A 1.5-hour class is offered in fall, winter, and spring for each
grade level.
Each grade level
has three different 1.5-hour classes. The fall session focuses on
beginning implementation, including what to write and when in
science notebooks; how to make and write observations and
comparisons; and how to draw scientific illustrations and diagrams.
The winter session focuses on providing evidence for claims and
writing simple conclusions. The spring session focuses on writing
complex conclusions and moving students toward more independent
scientific writing. Each class includes formative assessment of
student notebook entries for the units in that grade
level.
- There is a leadership
group that meets eight times in the year.
The
science writing program is an innovative and effective approach to
integrating the learning of science and expository writing skills
that benefits all students, especially those who are
underachieving. (Inverness Research Reports, 2002, 2003, and 2005,
and CRESST, UCLA, 2005. Please see links below.) The development of
the program was initially funded in 1999 by the National Science
Foundation (Grant # EIS- 9554605) and substantially funded from
2000 to 2005 by the Stuart Foundation of San Francisco. The program
currently has a National Science Foundation Grant supporting the
publication of two books and a DVD (Grant # EIS-0554651). The first
book, Writing in Science: How to Scaffold Instruction to Support
Learning written by Betsy Rupp Fulwiler, was published by
Heinemann in 2007. The second book and DVD is scheduled to be
published in the spring of 2011.
Summary of Qualitative
and Quantitative Research on the Expository Writing and Science
Notebooks Program:Seattle Science
Expository Writing and Notebooks (pdf)
Reports on Qualitative
Research for the Writing in Science Program
http://www.inverness-research.org/reports-projects.html#su
Please see
Professional Development On-Line Registration for the Expository
Writing and Science Notebooks Classes
