This month on It’s Time for Science, it’s time to talk about the Science of Reading and how FOSS®, The Full Option Science System™ incorporates everyday English Language Arts skills to support student literacy in conjunction with hands-on science learning! Host Tom Racine talks with Leslie Lausten, M. Ed and Dr. Jennifer Slavick, Ed. D., authors of the white paper FOSS Enhances the Science of Reading Through Knowledge Building.
Episode Guests
Leslie Lausten, M.Ed.
Leslie Lausten, M.Ed has a rich background in elementary science instruction. She has taught multiple grades, and was a literacy coach and science lead teacher for over 30 years. She has an MEd in Science Education (K-8) and a Reading Specialist endorsement. Currently, she is the East Coast FOSS Professional Learning Specialist and enjoys helping teachers implement best practices into their science classrooms through meaningful experiences and literacy integration.
Dr. Jennifer Slavick
Dr. Jennifer Slavick, Ed.D., Director, K-12 Research Partner Engagement and Success at EAB, has a diverse professional background spanning education and educational leadership. Beginning as a high school Biology teacher, she transitioned to roles such as Assistant Director of Science for a K-12 urban charter network and Director of Professional Learning and Implementation Services for a K-8 science program. With a commitment to educational excellence and a passion for fostering a supportive environment for educators, Dr. Slavick’s primary focus at EAB is on the building systems that support Science of Reading and Early Literacy initiatives, improving Teacher Morale, and Building a High-Performance District. Dr. Slavick earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Penn State University, a Masters of Education in Multicultural Education from Eastern University, and a Doctorate of Education in Education Administration and Public Policy from West Chester University. Dr. Slavick has won several awards, including the Award for Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year from the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and the Award for Excellence in Scholarship as well as a Certificate of Excellence from West Chester University.
Episode Summary
Tom talks with Ms. Lausten and Dr. Slavick about what the science of reading is, how different areas of students’ brains have to work together to take text and turn it into knowledge, and the role of Scarborough’s Reading Rope. They also touch on the importance of incorporating background knowledge and how much more likely students are to pick up vocabulary in context. How kids can become experts in science vocabulary through relating it to their actual experiences is discussed, as well as how sentence frames can help students learn, the critical need for sense-making, and how to make text more engaging and accessible. They also discuss ELD instruction and how science can work across curricula to help kids feel successful, among many other things!
FOSS Teacher Resource Introductory Videos
The FOSS Teacher Resource Introductory Videos that Dr. Slavick mentions are available through YouTube via the links below:
Teacher Resource Introductory Videos (K-2)
Teacher Resource Introductory Videos (3-5)
Teacher Resource Introductory Videos (6-8)
September FOSS Blog Article
Check out our September FOSS Blog Post where you can discover more information about FOSS and the Science of Reading.
Contact Us
It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you!
Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty® and the Full Option Science System™ (FOSS®) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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