Writing and STEM: Performance of Diverse Learners in Elementary and Middle Grades

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

The Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards call for students to use shared disciplinary practices across the curriculum, such as evaluating information, constructing evidence-based arguments, and composing explanations to defend findings. Integrating writing with STEM instruction addresses new educational standards and also holds promise as a way to increase students’ content area knowledge. This symposium explores ways in which students use writing in STEM subjects to both facilitate and demonstrate their learning.

Content Area

• Area 3: Literacy Instruction and Literacy Learning

Chair

• Amy Gillespie Rouse, Southern Methodist University

Discussant

• Janice Dole, University of Utah

Individual Presentations

• Predictors of Writing Quality Unique to Science Explanations - Sally Valentino Drew, Central Connecticut State University; Jeff Thomas, Central Connecticut State University

• Third Graders’ Use of Writing to Facilitate Learning of Engineering Concepts - Amy Gillespie Rouse, Southern Methodist University; Rob Rouse, Southern Methodist University

• Developing Children’s Understanding of Fractions via Their Written Arguments at Tier 2 - Sharlene Kiuhara, University of Utah