If two subjects are taught at the same time, not only can more be taught in a given period of time, but instruction in one area reinforces and enhances learning in the other. The meshing of the skills in both subject areas make them natural partners for integration. For some skills, such as identifying main ideas and details and classifying, different terms are used to describe the same process. For other skills, such as drawing conclusions, the terms and processes are the same for both subject areas. The table also includes sample writing activities that correspond to the reading and science skills.
Writing is an important part of integrating reading and science.
As units are developed, opportunities need to be provided on a regular and consistent basis to read, silently and aloud, what has been written and to write about what has been read. In this way, both ends of the communication skills continuum are focused on and developed in tandem with science content. Start with a piece of outstanding literature and find science content in the literature or start with science content and find excellent literature that corresponds to the topic. If you begin with a piece of literature, read through the selection to determine what science content logically and meaningfully is represented. If the interdependence is missing, the selection will not be useful for teaching in a truly integrated manner.