My Letter to Students

Dear Scientists-
I would like to welcome you all to my laboratory. Inside this classroom, as well as outside on certain occasions, you all are going to develop into young scientists who are striving to master the formulas, questions, discussions, and countless information in the science language. As we start the semester off with one another, I want to inform you of an important topic that relates to the content we will be going over this year: literacy. As much as people wince at the word, and as strange as it may sound to discuss literacy in a science setting, it’s a vital component of life and is a great learning tool that can ultimately increase your knowledge of this subject.
For the most part, literacy may seem like a simple term to define: the ability to read material and understand it. However, there is much more meaning within the core of this small word. Additionally, literacy is the breaking down of language so that countless meanings can be unveiled. The reading material that I will pass out this year will hopefully gain your interest, rather than bore you.
My goal as your teacher is to give you a chance to take what you’ve read and/or written down and use that information outside the classroom for the purpose of building relationships between school topics and the outside world of science. For that matter, numerous literacy opportunities will be available to read and reflect on during this class and personal time at home. Such literacy will include science fiction books, articles, websites, and experiments. Along with actually reading material to gain comprehension, I am going to push you to become expert writers in this content, as well. Rather than write papers and reflections, writing will involve letters, the designing of brochures, the layout of experiments, and solutions to real life problems here on Earth. Though these tasks may sound grueling, the outcomes will be extremely beneficial for you in this present age and the future that lies ahead of you.
Remember, literacy in this science lab is about understanding the meaning of what’s being read and the ability to apply it to your life for use. Science is everywhere and being able to make connections between material in class and the outside world is a reward in itself. As you come into this classroom, your minds should already be open to learn and your heart to be ready to build relationships once your foot leaves the door.

I look forward to the many encounters with science and the connections developed by the strength and importance of literacy.


Ms. "C"