Literacy in science teaching

Our latest resources by key chemistry topic

Find key terms glossary resources, reading comprehension, structured talk and structure strips for each key topic

Particle model

Particle model | Key terms support | 11–14

Language support pack for structure and bonding, with key terms list, accessible glossary, Frayer models and unscrambling definitions

Particle model | Reading comprehension | 11–14 years

Use this reading comprehension based on a real science research news story to develop literacy skills and confidence

Particle model | Structured talk | 11–14 years

In this speaking and listening task learners work together to build word bridges, building and sharing understanding by applying the particle model

States of matter | Structure strip | 11–14 years

Support learners to recall and write about the properties of solids, liquids and gases

Atomic model

Atomic model | Reading comprehension | 14–16 years

Use this reading comprehension based on a real science research news story to develop literacy skills and confidence

Atomic model | Key terms support | 14–16

Language support pack for atomic model, with key terms list, accessible glossary, Frayer models and unscrambling definitions

Atomic model | Structured talk | 14–16 years

In this speaking and listening task learners work together to build word bridges, building and sharing understanding of the atomic model

Particle diagrams | Structure strip | 14–16 years

Support learners to describe and evaluate the particle model for solids, liquids and gases with this writing activity

Structure and bonding

Structure and bonding | Structured talk | 14–16 years

In this speaking and listening task learners work together to build word bridges by applying, building and sharing understanding of bonding

Structure and bonding | Key terms support | 14–16

Language support pack for structure and bonding, with key terms list, accessible glossary, Frayer models and unscrambling definitions

Structure and bonding | Reading comprehension | 14–16 years

Use this reading comprehension based on a real science research news story to develop literacy skills and confidence

Covalent bonding | Structure strip | 14–16 years

Understand covalent bonding diagrams and their limitations, with this scaffolded writing activity

Reading

Reading scientific texts is a skill that needs to be taught and practised. Reading textbooks, articles, exam questions or even personal study notes requires a very different approach to reading a novel. Find tips and activities to develop scientific reading skills in these articles and resources.

Reading comprehension activities

Particle model | Reading comprehension | 11–14 years
Atomic model | Reading comprehension | 14–16 years
Structure and bonding | Reading comprehension | 14–16 years
Reciprocal reading task: agriculture and ammonia | 14–16 years
Structure and bonding: exploding exam questions | 14–16 years
Separating caffeine | 11–14 years
Hand sanitiser in demand – reading comprehension
Can UV light help tackle the coronavirus?
Advances in water treatment
It’s an ant’s life

Science research news - extracts for your class

Why and how we should teach literacy in science lessons

Scientific literacy is a key skill for all learners and it should feature in all our teaching, says Ben Rogers

Effective reading strategies for the chemistry classroom

Try these simple, teacher-tested approaches to build your students’ literacy skills

Writing

Science communication can take many forms and writing helps students reflect on their understanding and formulate their ideas. Give your students opportunities to write for a variety of different audiences and purposes.

Writing

Learning to write in chemistry

Michael Seery highlights the importance of carefully-designed writing activities in enabling students to build their scientific writing skills

Read story

Communicating through writing

A sweet solution to extended questions

Motivate learners to structure their answers for full marks

Improve your students’ literacy in science skills

Use these tips to help your pupils write and talk like a scientist

Understanding comes with writing

How writing builds learning

Building better science communicators

Kristy Turner explains why science teachers should help develop student literacy

Learning to write about chemistry

How might we include meaningful writing assignments in our curriculum?

Promote independent writing with structure strips

Structure strips

Improve learners’ understanding of chemistry with these scaffolded writing activities

More writing activities

Justice and injustice in chemistry: aspirin and other drugs | 16–18 years

Critical thinking and research task, reflecting on the science and societal views surrounding drugs and their development

Plant-based plastics | 11–14 years

Put chemistry into context and encourage your 11–14 students to use their critical thinking skills with these classroom activities

Why do sediments form layers? | 11-14 years

Explore the layered formation of sedimentary rocks using this lesson plan and set of downloadable activities for 11–14 year olds.

How do car exhaust gases impact the environment? | 16-18 years

Explore the origin and environmental impact of pollutants in car exhaust emissions using peer-assessed writing in this lesson plan for 16–18 year olds.

New chemist article

This book can be used to address aspects of communication skills, or can be run as a complete module. This section focuses on writing a concise report.

Oracy

Talk matters: speaking and listening skills are incredibly valuable in their own right, but talk also has a big impact on other aspects of learning. High quality talk is well-structured and guided by teachers.

Resources to support structured talk

The language of chemistry

Alongside the fundamental ideas of chemistry, learners have to decipher new key words, definitions and command words. This means learning chemistry can be akin to learning a new language. Help students to improve their scientific vocabulary with these ideas and pedagogical approaches to etymology and the language of chemistry.

Etymology

Knowing words’ origins helps students unravel chemistry

Teach the origins of chemical vocabulary

The stories behind the words

Simon Rees reveals the origins of some chemical terms and what they can mean for students

Vocabulary

Closing the word gap
How focusing on literacy improves chemistry understanding
How to help students decode science vocabulary
The keys to understanding the language of chemistry
Secure students’ understanding of scientific vocabulary
Banish misconceptions and build a foundation of understanding for science terminology with the Frayer model template