The upcoming NSTA Minneapolis conference, taking place October 27-29, will have a number of sessions dedicated to celebrating elementary science and literacy connections. Children are born investigators. Science is an engaging way to develop students’ skills in thinking creatively, expressing themselves, and investigating their world. Reading, writing, and speaking are inspired through science experiences. Educators attending these sessions will gain confidence in teaching science, learn strategies for literacy and science integration, and celebrate elementary science. The 7 sessions are just a sample of what #NSTA16 attendees can expect. 

Native Plants and Seeds, Oh My! (Thursday, October 27 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

• Cultivate new learning with a unit developed for upper elementary students that embeds reading and writing with a study of botany featuring native seeds and plants.

Developing and Implementing NGSS-Focused Curriculum in Gillette, WY: Strategies and Tools for Elementary Science and Literacy Integration (Thursday, October 27 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

• Explore newly developed NGSS-focused units in grades 3, 4, and 5 with an emphasis on strategies embedded within the lessons and activities that explicitly link ELA with science.

Whoosh, Crack, Slide, and Crash Your Way into a Grade 5 Earth Science Unit (Thursday, October 27 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

• Explore tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, and floods through hands-on investigations and connections to literacy.

Connecting the Skills of Literacy and Science Through Children’s Literature and STEM Topics (Friday, October 28 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM)

• We will investigate a series of activities that help to integrate science and literacy skills with a STEM focus through the use of children’s literature.

Science Notebooks—From Preservice to the Classroom (Friday, October 28 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)

• Science notebooks provide powerful tools to engage NGSS practices. Discover how Hamline University’s teacher education program prepares preservice teachers to successfully implement notebooks in their classroom.

Disciplinary Literacy and Reading in the Content Area of Science: Yes! You Can Do Both as an Elementary Teacher! (Friday, October 28 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

• This session will provide elementary teachers with an understanding of what we mean by both reading in a content area like science and disciplinary literacy in science.

Teach Students to Read Like Scientists! (Saturday, October 29 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

• Explore strategies through interactive online simulations and activities that support success in reading science texts and, most importantly, scientific inquiry.

Register to attend here—and don’t forget, NSTA members get a substantial discount!

2016 Area Conferences

• Minneapolis, Minnesota: October 27–29
• Portland, Oregon: November 10–12
• Columbus, Ohio: December 1–3

National Conferences

• Los Angeles, California: March 30–April 2, 2017
• Atlanta, Georgia: March 15–18, 2018
• St. Louis, Missouri: April 11–14, 2019
• Boston, Massachusetts: March 26–29, 2020
• Chicago, Illinois: April 8–11, 2021

Follow NSTA