Constructing evidence-based explanations is at the core of both science and literacy. Whether constructing explanations about first-hand scientific investigations, texts, or the interplay between text and experience, the process of searching for and evaluating evidence to support these explanations draws on strongly related cognitive skills. The Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading units are designed to provide students with opportunities to develop their abilities to: search for evidence to support their ideas; make inferences from first- and second-hand evidence; construct explanations; probe for additional evidence to either support or refute explanations; and ultimately to be able to change or refine their explanations based on new evidence, whether spoken or in print form. These are not only crucial literacy and science ways of thinking and doing—they are of lasting lifelong value. |
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