Interdisciplinary Language Arts and Science Instruction in Elementary Classrooms

Book excerpt: This volume brings together evidence-based approaches to interdisciplinary language arts and science instruction. Firmly grounded in the research showing cognitive parallels between the two subjects, and reflecting the many recommendations in recent years for using interdisciplinary instruction at the elementary level, its goal is to help teachers effectively use this kind of instruction in elementary classrooms. The book is organized around three themes: *Introduction to Interdisciplinary Science and Language Arts Instruction; *The Influence of Interdisciplinary Science and Language Arts Instruction on Children’s Learning; and *Research on Preparing Elementary Teachers to Use Interdisciplinary Science and Language Arts Instruction Each chapter summarizes the research on its focal topic. Examples of research applied to practice, and questions and prompts for discussion and reflection help readers apply what they are reading in their own classroom contexts. Teacher educators and prospective and practicing elementary teachers everywhere will benefit from this overview of current research and practice in interdisciplinary science and language arts instruction.