ERIC Number: ED520425
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jan
Pages: 56
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Evaluation of Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading: Effective Tools for Developing Literacy through Science in the Early Grades-Light Energy Unit. CRESST Report 781
Goldschmidt, Pete; Jung, Hyekyung
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST)
This evaluation focuses on the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading: Effective Tools for Developing Literacy through Science in the Early Grades ("Seeds/Roots") model of science-literacy integration. The evaluation is based on a cluster randomized design of 100 teachers, half of which were in the treatment group. Multi-level models are employed to account for the clustering of students within teachers and teachers within schools. Four primary outcomes of interest are examined: science content, vocabulary, reading and writing. Additional analyses focus on the impact of teacher and student background, instructional methods, and teacher-self efficacy. Quantitative results indicate that the "Seeds/Roots" intervention resulted in statistically and substantively higher student performance in science content, vocabulary, and writing. Teacher background and self-efficacy are generally unrelated to student performance. Inquiry-based teachers enhanced treatment effects. Despite "Seeds/Roots" designed integration, teachers tended to focus on the science aspect when considering time requirements to be longer than a standard unit. Qualitative results indicate that teachers overwhelmingly found the "Seeds/Roots" unit usable, effective, and engaging. Two appendices are included. (Contains 33 tables and 16 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Elementary School Science, Grade 4, Emergent Literacy, Integrated Curriculum, Interdisciplinary Approach, Light, Energy, Units of Study, Course Content, Vocabulary, Reading Writing Relationship, Teacher Background, Student Characteristics, Teaching Methods, Self Efficacy
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). 300 Charles E Young Drive N, GSE&IS Building 3rd Floor, Mailbox 951522, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1522. Tel: 310-206-1532; Fax: 310-825-3883; Web site: http://www.cresst.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A