Our Project
Using technology to teach science in innovative and engaging ways.
Students enter into middle school at varying reading levels. In a 7th grade class the reading levels may span from 2nd grade to 9th grade. Particularly in low socioeconomic status areas, underrepresented students tend to be extremely behind in their literacy. In 2009, only 22% of students in California scored proficient or advanced, and 36% of 8th graders in California were considered below basic in mandated statewide standardized reading testing. One of the science teacher's main tools to facilitate students access to curriculum is the science textbook. These are commonly written at or above students' grade level and many middle students are left unable to comprehend their science text. When faced with these challenges, many students fail to understand the material and are unable to progress in their scientific knowledge, reading level, and lack any meaningful exposure to expository text.
students enter into middle school at varying
reading levels...
...at least 25% of instructional time, students are unable to read and comprehend science text...
Rather than rely on written text, the reality is that teachers adjust instruction with experiments, movies, and alternative curricula. In this way, students are able to learn science concepts with other modalities and feel successful. The tragedy of this lies in the lack of standards-based science text for students who read at low levels. Consequently, during at least 25% of instructional time, students are unable to read and gain no experience with comprehending or researching science text.
RocketLit proposes to fill this gap with a web-based application that delivers a library of standards-based and interest articles for teachers and students. Students have individual accounts within which their reading level is diagnosed. Once diagnosed, they're given articles at their independent reading level. Articles are written from the 3rd to 12th grade levels, and contain the same core content adjusted for a diverse set of readers. The website serves as a curriculum aid for teachers to help students understand science, and read within their Zone of Proximal Development. Students and Teachers can access the website from any computer, anytime.
Students are given articles at their independent reading level...
...and aims to move students up in reading level.
Articles end in a comprehension quiz, and through the increased exposure to independent reading, this program aims to move students up in reading level. The program also includes interest articles that can be read for fun, to enrich a research project, or for students to elevate the reading level of articles that are presented to them. Teachers can select articles for students to read, generate paperless quizzes, create free response assignments, and receive real time data on their students' progress and performance. RocketLit will ensure that all students in every science classroom can read.