A piece of literature developed around a science topic can be used to engage and motivate students to explore the topic. The reading strategies help students focus their thinking and construct meaning. Many of these strategies are a natural part of the science lesson. The science content area provides students with the opportunity to use reading skills in an authentic environment. The authentic application of these skills is a critical experience for students as they learn to read.
Science provides a context for reading.
Because the topics in the science curriculum stimulate a student's natural curiosity and sense of wonder, they motivate the student to read. Science texts give teachers the informational material the students can summarize and can explore for details that can be organized. The information students collect can be connected to their prior experiences. Science investigations give students the opportunity to read to perform a task. The investigation challenges them and they are motivated to explore and discover.