Evaluation of Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading Project: 'Shoreline Science' and 'Terrarium Investigations.' CSE Technical Report 676

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Evaluation of Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading Project: 'Shoreline Science' and 'Terrarium Investigations.' CSE Technical Report 676
Language: English
Authors: Wang, Jia, Baker, Eva L., National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing, University of California, Los Angeles, Center for the Study of Evaluation
Source: National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). 2006.
Availability: National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). 300 Charles E Young Drive N, GSE&IS Building 3rd Floor, Mailbox 951522, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1522. Tel: 310-206-1532; Fax: 310-825-3883; Web site: http://www.cresst.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 140
Publication Date: 2006
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Descriptors: Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Integrated Curriculum, Science Education, Elementary School Science, Elementary School Students, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Profiles, Science Teachers, Pretests Posttests, Student Interests, Investigations, Control Groups
Geographic Terms: California
Abstract: This project was initiated in order to evaluate two literacy and science integrated instruction units, "Shoreline Science" and "Terrarium Investigations," designed by the Lawrence Hall of Science "Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading" Project ("Seeds/Roots"). We examined how the integrated units affect student interest, motivation, and learning, as well as evaluating the units' quality, usability, and utility using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Through analyses of student performance and teacher interviews, we found "Shoreline Science" and "Terrarium Investigations" beneficial to both students and teachers. Teachers were highly motivated to use the materials, and "Shoreline Science" and "Terrarium Investigations" students learned significantly more than the control group students in all science and literacy measures on which the differences were expected. The following are appended: (1) Terrarium Investigations Results on Four Groups; (2) Teacher Interview Protocol; (3) Shoreline Science Teacher Profiles; (4) Shoreline Science Coding Summary; (5) Terrarium Investigations Teacher Profiles; and (6) Terrarium Investigations Coding Summary. (Contains 16 footnotes and 23 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 8
Entry Date: 2011
Accession Number: ED518677
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This project was initiated in order to evaluate two literacy and science integrated instruction units, "Shoreline Science" and "Terrarium Investigations," designed by the Lawrence Hall of Science "Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading" Project ("Seeds/Roots"). We examined how the integrated units affect student interest, motivation, and learning, as well as evaluating the units' quality, usability, and utility using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Through analyses of student performance and teacher interviews, we found "Shoreline Science" and "Terrarium Investigations" beneficial to both students and teachers. Teachers were highly motivated to use the materials, and "Shoreline Science" and "Terrarium Investigations" students learned significantly more than the control group students in all science and literacy measures on which the differences were expected. The following are appended: (1) Terrarium Investigations Results on Four Groups; (2) Teacher Interview Protocol; (3) Shoreline Science Teacher Profiles; (4) Shoreline Science Coding Summary; (5) Terrarium Investigations Teacher Profiles; and (6) Terrarium Investigations Coding Summary. (Contains 16 footnotes and 23 tables.)