Informational Texts to Build Scientific Literacy

One thing on my back to school list is sub plans. My admin usually ask for 3-4 days of sub plans by the second week of school and I’m always in a moral quandary. Do I throw together something meaningless but time filling? Or do I invest the time to make meaningful, content rich, standards based activities that require no prep and can be squeezed into the curriculum whenever I need a day off? Using informational text, I can build scientific literacy even in my sub plans.

You know me so well.

I have no time to “just give kids a study” or “tell them to read the next chapter.” There are only 180 days of school and my kids need every single one of them to cover the content and the standards.

I’ve found that a great sub plan is an enrichment activity that incorporates informational text into scientific literacy. Not only does it address NGSS skills, it also addresses Common Core skills. I give students a scientific passage to read like scientists and engage with the text. Have them analyze and evaluate data and form opinions. Ideally, let them defend their opinions using data to support their answers. Additionally, preparing these plans in advance can give you handy enrichment activities for early finishers.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Should GMOs be banned?
• Are vaccines safe?

• What causes cancer?
• Is astrology different from astronomy?
• Does the groundhog actually predict the weather?
• Are most US Presidents only children?
• How do you start a compost pile?
• How do sharks work?
• How do air conditioners work?
• What are cicadas?
• Are oldest children more likely to be president?

• Do goats make good pets?
• Are brown eggs healthier?
• How can we stop an asteroid that’s headed for Earth?
• Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?
• How do the pyramids work?
• How do placebos work?

• How accurate are DNA kits?
• Does intermittent fasting work?
• What’s happening to bees?
• What is Roswell?
• What are the pyramids of Giza?
• What is Stonehenge?
• Are artificial sweeteners safe?
• Is the face on Mars real?
• How do insect repellents work?
• What happened to the Salem witches?
• Can meditation lower your blood pressure?
• Is organic food better for you?
• Are vampire bats real?

• What are Nazca lines?
• Is Bigfoot real?
• What is Area 51?

To create a relevant sub plan or mini-unit, select appropriate reading passages, preferably from both sides of the spectrum on opinion pieces, and add in some background information and data. It’s far better to curate the reading passages yourself rather than opening up the option to “Google it.” As useful as a tool as Google is, there’s a lot of misinformation out there also. (To wit, I once had a student do a report on amethyst and told me that it could cure headaches.) Then, generate some relevant analysis questions.

The trick to great sub plans is to make them relevant but not necessarily curricular so that they can fit anywhere in the year when you may need them. Building scientific literacy and using informational text to analyze information is always a skill that’s high on my priority list.

I’ve assembled 8 sub plans in a bundle and am offering it for 30% off right now. I’d love your feedback!