"Many teachers, like their students, still think of math as a totally separate subject from language arts. They may not see the connections to what students are learning during reading and writing instruction. Or if they do, they may not know how to make those math-literacy connections explicit or use them effectively," (Bernstein, Fogelberg, Hiller, Satz, Skalinder, Satz, Vitantonio, 2008). However, as we have learned, students need to be able to read and comprehend not only books read during reading instruction, but also books in the content areas. Through reading the authors' book, Integrating Literacy and Math: Strategies for K-6 Teachers, as part of a book study, I learned to use similar language in my math lessons as I use daily in reading and writing workshop. I also began to learn to link what good readers and writers do to what good mathematicians do, and show my students how a strategy that helped them in reading or writing can help them in math as well.
One of the authors, Lisa Bernstein, visited our book study group in 2008. Together, we worked to learn how to create engaging math lessons using trade books or leveled readers rather than out of a math book. This made math more engaging, as well as providing the opportunity to practice reading strategies during math class!
There are many companies that offer leveled nonfiction readers that can be used to develop lessons in math and science (and social studies), or can be used as supplemental materials to the textbooks. Below are links to sites of companies I have used to order content area leveled readers. These sites would help create text sets for units in the content areas.
Reading A-Z: http://www.readinga-z.com/
This site provides downloadable, projectable, or printable leveled books to use with the whole class or in small group lessons. Each book comes with a lesson plan and comprehension/assessment resources. Nonfiction books cover a range of topics that can be used in the content areas and the search engine on the site allows books on specific subject areas to be easily located. It is also possible to search for a specific reading strategy as well! There are printable or projectable graphic organizers that may be used before, during, or after reading. Books range from Guided Reading Level A all the way up to Z, so these books allow for differentiation and use in any grade!
Booksource: http://www.booksource.com/
This company has extensive leveled reading catalogs available for free upon request. In the leveled reader catalog, books are divided both by level and by subject. Recently, they also made their collections available online. Here is a link to Guided Reading Level J math books: http://www.booksource.com/Products/Level-J-Nonfiction-Math__JNF-MAT-spc-09-10.aspx
On the Booksource website, I found a page of book collections that accompany the Everyday Math program. I have been piloting this series this year and wasn't even aware that I could order this collection! What a great way to integrate reading and math AND keep math from becoming routine and boring! http://www.booksource.com/Departments/Specialty-Lists/Math--Science-and-Social-Studies/Everyday-Math-3rd-Edition.aspx
Zaner-Bloser: http://www.zanerbloser.com/
For years, I always looked at Zaner-Bloser as a handwriting/spelling company! I was excited last year to find that they had leveled content area books to help me meet science, math, or social studies standards AND work on reading strategies at the same time.
Here is a link to the leveled readers for grade K-6 in the content areas: http://zaner-bloser.com/educator/products/index.aspx?id=7710
Scholastic
I used the main catalog sent to our school each year to browse by subject area and level to easily order titles. We also ordered a leveled reading library that contained many leveled nonfiction readers. I recently found that Scholastic has a list-builder feature online that allows you to create your own text sets for the content areas! You can even search based on your state's standards in each subject area! Check it out: http://listbuilder.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HomeView?storeId=10001&ESP=SLP/ib//acq/listbuilder_slimnav_Teachers///nav/txtl////
Rigby: http://www.rigby.com/
Rigby offers many nonfiction titles that could be used in the content areas. My students frequently check out the books from the Sails collection, particularly the readers about animals. I have found that these have also been great in engaging boys in reading; they love the vivid photographs and interesting facts. To find content area readers, click on products and then leveled readers. On the left you will find links to science and math readers. I highly suggest using the catalog to order, however, as you can see the cover of each book. This is a feature not yet on the website.
To read more about integrating literacy and math/science:
Integrating Literacy and Math: Strategies for K-6 Teachers
Authors: Ellen Fogelberg (MST), Carole Skalinder (MST), Patti Satz, Barbara Hiller, Lisa Bernstein, and Sandra Vitantonio
Click the link to see inside the book and/or order!
http://www.amazon.com/Integrating-Literacy-Math-Strategies-Teachers/dp/1593857187
Book review in Canadian Journal of Education:
http://www.csse.ca/CJE/Articles/FullText/CJE32-2/CJE32-2-Review-MacDonald.pdf
Integrating Literacy and Science
Authors: Judy McKee, Donna Ogle (editor of Integrating Literacy and Math)
Click the link to see inside the book and/or order!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Integrating-Instruction/Judy-McKee/e/9781593851576/?itm=4&USRI=integrating+literacy+and+science
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