Disciplinary Literacy Virtual Library > Self-Paced Learning Modules

Module 1:  What is Disciplinary Literacy?

Lessons are designed for educators wishing to increase their understanding of disciplinary literacy at their own pace.
Lesson 1.1:  Introduction—Definitions of Disciplinary Literacy 
Lesson 1.2:  Disciplinary Literacy in Action—STEM Enhanced Disciplinary Literacy
Lesson 1.3:  Research—What Do Experts Say About Disciplinary Literacy?
Lesson 1.4:  Planning for Disciplinary Literacy in Your Classroom
Lesson 1.5:  A Disciplinary Literacy Concept Map

Lesson 1:2:  Disciplinary Literacy in Action - Classroom Lessons

Task 1:  Disciplinary Literacy Strategy--Focused Listing

Brainstorm the elements you expect to see and hear in a disciplinary literacy rich STEM classroom and record them in a list titled “Elements of a Disciplinary Literacy Rich STEM Classroom.”

Task 2:  A Virtual Classroom Visit:  6th Grade Science

View the video of Jenelle Howard’s 6th Grade Science classroom.   As you view the video, make a check mark beside the elements of disciplinary literacy in your brainstormed list evidenced in the video.  After watching the video, add any additional elements you noticed to your list, if applicable.
 Task 3:  A Virtual Classroom Visit:  7th Grade Mathematics

View the video of Cathy Ward’s 7th Grade Mathematics classroom.   As you view the video, make a check mark beside the elements of disciplinary literacy in your brainstormed list evidenced in the video.  After watching the video, add any additional elements you noticed to your list, if applicable.
Task 4:  Disciplinary Literacy Strategy--Two Minute Paper

Consider the following questions as you reflect in writing:
  • How does instruction in your classroom compare to the instruction in the two videos?
  • What strengths did you notice related to disciplinary literacy in each of the classroom videos?
  • What might be some areas of growth for the teachers in each video related to disciplinary literacy?