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The Language Demands of Science Reading in Middle School

Bibliographic Data

ID23367151
AuthorsZhihui Fang (0000-0002-1822-4331, University of Florida, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume28
Issue5
Pages491-520
Publication date2006-04-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Science Education, Part B (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2154-8455 • E-ISSN: 2154-8463
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09500690500339092
OpenAlexW2089239298
LanguageEN
Citations received73
References cited20

The language used to construct knowledge, beliefs, and worldviews in school science is distinct from the social language that students use in their everyday ordinary life. This difference is a major source of reading difficulty for many students, especially struggling readers and English‐language learners. This article identifies some of the linguistic challenges involved in reading middle‐school science texts and suggests several teaching strategies to help students cope with these challenges. It is argued that explicit attention to the unique language of school science should be an integral part of science literacy pedagogy.

Construct (python library) · Linguistics · Literacy · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Reading (process) · Science education · Scientific Literacy · Computer Science · Education and Critical Thinking Development · Educational Strategies and Epistemologies · Psychology · Science Education and Pedagogy

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Unique citing works73
Citations per year4,06
Citation span2008 - 2026 (19)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 70
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