The Role of Literacy Across All Subjects
We often think of literacy as knowing how to read. Literacy encompasses four major skills – reading, writing, speaking, and listening – and is of vital importance in every subject area, even STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Literacy is the foundation that supports students as they learn, think, and express themselves in every subject, not just reading. As our students become increasingly skilled readers, they become better prepared to solve problems and transfer knowledge across all academic disciplines.
What role does literacy play in social studies?
Literacy skills are critical in our social studies curriculum at Brimmer. In social studies, students examine elements of history, geography, culture, and community through expository texts. Through these explorations, students acquire vocabulary, learn how to annotate texts, and engage in evidence-based discussions. Literacy in social studies requires more than reading text; students learn to gather information from maps, charts, and diagrams. Students develop research skills such as note-taking, organizing material, and presenting information in a clear and engaging manner. Reading and writing in our social studies curriculum enables students to acquire knowledge as well as make inferences and comparisons.
What role does literacy play in math?
Math inherently relies on literacy and language processing in several ways. Tackling a math problem depends upon symbolic decoding skills. Like letters of the alphabet, numerals and mathematical notations such as the plus sign carry meaning. Math also has its own vocabulary to be mastered, words such as sum, difference, and equation. In addition, many math problems are presented as word problems and may even include a data table. Reading a math problem is very different from reading a story or a narrative, as a math problem has distinct features requiring slow, close reading. The reader must be able to identify key information, accurately determine what is being asked, and translate this language into a mathematical operation.
What role does literacy play in the sciences, including engineering?
Literacy and science are tightly connected, especially in our inquiry-based curriculum at Brimmer. In science, we ask students to engage in real-world puzzles and questions that spark their curiosity. In tackling these types of questions, we provide students with rich science vocabulary to provide a deeper understanding of the topic. We also support students as they engage in scientific discourse: students speak, write, and debate about scientific ideas. This allows them to gain deeper scientific understanding while also strengthening their literacy skills. In science and engineering lessons, we use the following common framework: make a claim, provide evidence for the claim, explain your reasoning, and draw a valid conclusion. This process relies heavily on writing skills, which often includes diagrams and data tables to support text.
The importance of communication skills
Across all subjects, literacy skills support students as they engage in critical communication for academic purposes: clearly explaining their reasoning, describing the processes of their research or learning, writing about what they have learned, and presenting their work.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.