We all want to improve reading skills with our kids. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, improving kids reading skills is of high priority. And did you know that doing a little science has the potential of improving reading, writing, and spelling skills as well? Plus, it’s kind of fun.
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I totally confess. We don’t do near enough science experiments and activities in our home. Five years into homeschooling, we did our first ever Science Experiment Day this past week, using mainly TIME’s science experiment book and Science in Seconds for Kids. It was SO worth it and will be done at least once a month from here on out. I have to be intentional about it or it will probably get pushed to the back burner.
Enough about me. Today, I’m excited to share 4 super cool ways that doing science with your kids {at home or at school} can actually help improve reading skills. Woohoo!
How Science Can Help Improve Reading Skills
1. Students are interested. Science has so many fun topics that activities and experiments can be adapted to kids’ ages and interests. And when kids are engaged, what a POWERFUL tool! I would venture to say that student interest is one of the most powerful tools we have when teaching anything. When students are interested and engaged, they are more likely to stick with something, even if it’s challenging for them. {See how interest ties directly into reading with #3 of our list.}
2. Kids practice comprehension skills. One of the first steps in the process of science problem solving is asking questions. “I wonder why…” or “What happens if…” Questioning is also an important reading comprehension skill that we want kids to use when approaching a book they are reading. Other comprehension skills that are used in both reading and science experiments include setting a purpose, inferring, defending answers, and predicting (making a hypothesis).
Find more comprehension strategies and ideas on our 10-week Reading Comprehension Series.
3. Reading is authentic. When kids are engaged and want to find answers, they might need to do a little research. Instead of feeling the pressure that their reading will result in a battery of questions from us or a test, they know that their reading is for them, as they are eager to find out more about their topic. Talk about authentic! And again, even if the material they are reading is a bit on the challenging side, they might be more motivated to tackle the words and comprehend the text. It’s more likely be one of those texts they WANT to read.
4. Students read their own writing. During our recent Science Experiment Day, I created a printable science experiment recording sheet {found at the end of this post}.
If kids are asked to write down their hypothesis, their observations, and the results of the experiment, they can read them to each other. When kids read their own writings and share their ideas with others, that’s authentic and powerful, too! {Plus, it’s a SUPER sneaky way to get kids to re-read for fluency, if kids need to work on that. Hehe.}
And while we’re talking about writing, one of the best ways to engage writers is to create an audience. Knowing that you’re going to share your hypothesis, reasoning, and thoughts with others gives writers a built-in audience. It’s the same “writing power” you give kids when you ask them to write a letter to someone.
So there you have it. Now I have four great reasons to continue our new tradition of Science Experiment Day. And maybe, just maybe, you have a great vehicle for improving your child’s reading, writing, spelling, and speaking skills. That’s a win-win, if you ask me!
More Amazing Resources for Science Exploration
These bloggers post science experiments often and my oldest {3rd grade} loves to read through the articles and posts.
- Lemon Lime Adventures
- Frugal Fun 4 Boys
- Science Sparks
- Gift of Curiosity
- Little Bins for Little Hands
- Playdough to Plato
Follow This Reading Mama’s board Science Activities on Pinterest.
>>Download our FREE Science Experiment Recording Sheet & Notebook Cover HERE.<<
Enjoy!
~Becky
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