How to Integrate Science and Spanish: Luz y Sonido

How do you teach light and sound to first graders.  In Spanish?  What about the bridge for Dual Language?  These are all good questions, and in this post I will show you how to teach Light and Sound integrating Next Generation and Common Core State Standards using games, vocabulary cards, word sorts and even some English bridging activities so that you can integrate  science and writing in Spanish!

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What is an integrated unit of study?

Simply stated, an integrated unit of study is when you combine reading/language arts with a content area such as science or social studies.

1. Core Components of an Integrated Science Unit:

1. Thematic Learning

2. Hands-on Experiments

3. Scientific Vocabulary Development

4. Writing Practice

5. Assessment and Reflection

2. Resources for Building Your Unit:

This particular resource that I am sharing today is a Spanish integrated unit for Light and Sound using the following standards:

1. Next Generation Science Standards: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer

1-PS4-1: Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.

1-PS4-3: Plan and conduct investigations to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.

1-PS4-4: Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communications over a distance.

 2. Common Core State Standards:

RI 1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

RI 1.5: Know and use various text features (e.g. headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.

RI  1.6: Distinguish between informations provided by pictures or other illustrations and informations provided by the words in a text.

RL 1.2:  Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

3. Luz y Sonido Spanish Integrated Science Unit:

1.  Scientific Vocabulary Illustrated Cards

2.  Vocabulary Development Game

3.  Scientific Sentence Puzzles with a Recording Sheet

4.  Experiments

5.  Word Sorts

6.  Shared Reading Passage with cut-apart sentences

7.  Leveled Thematic Readers / books

8.  Printable color story adapted from the Three Billy Goats

9.  Writing practice using CCSS mentioned above

10.  Final Assessment with Differentiation

11.  English - Spanish Cognate Cut and Paste Sheet

12.  Foldable English Booklet for Sound

13.  Teacher Ideas for Use

14.  All in Spanish!!

Click on the image to see this bundle in my Teachers Pay Teachers Shop.

3.  Implementing Your Unit: 

Thematic learning sometimes takes on a circular vs. linear way of thinking and learning.  At times it can feel like we have to teach everything yesterday so that the kids can show progress.  But because this is an integrated unit, you are sprinkling little bits and pieces of learning in different areas every day.   

1.  First, take a look at the assessment.  The assessment is based on the standards and on the integration of both the Next Gen and the CCSS.  The assessment is your road-map, so to speak.

Click on the image to see the teaching resource.

2.  Second, teach the scientific vocabulary.  When you are teaching a thematic, or integrated unit, the best use of time is to integrate the theme of science into your Language Arts and Reading time.  You can use the vocabulary cards so that the kids can play memory games, Go Fish, and the like.  Take advantage of the vocabulary game and the Puzzled Sentences ('Oraciones 1-2-3') so that you can transform your literacy centers into thematic stations.

3.  Third, introduce thematic centers and activities. 

Click on the image to see the game on Teachers pay Teachers.

 While you are introducing the thematic centers and activities, be sure to take a block of time for vocabulary development.  I would use an anchor chart and write the words on the left side in Spanish, and then glue the card with the illustration to the right of the Spanish word.  When it is time to teach the words in English, then I would write the word to the right of the vocab card in English.  

It is important to remember to color code your written language.  I always used green for Spanish, and blue for English.  This is helpful for the kids as they are still learning to read;  the color codes help them to remember the language they are sounding out.

4.  Do the hands-on, fun and engaging experiments!  Once you have introduced the vocabulary, then take on the experiments.  Because I have worked in Dual Language, we always do this during the Language Arts block.  It just became the chunk of time for content area learning integrated with Language Arts.  My Dual Language classroom is also part of the International Baccalaureate Program, or the Primary Years Program (PYP).  So we always make a spot for integrated learning.

Click on the image to see the resource.

5.  Always teach writing!  The writing piece is so foundational in first grade!  Be sure to dedicate a time everyday so that you can integrate the science themes as you teach your class writing.  No matter what system you use for writing, you can easily integrate the vocabulary and the learning from the leveled readers and the experiments into your everyday writing routine.

Click on the image so that you can see the resource.

In conclusion

Creating an Integrated Spanish Science Unit requires thoughtful planning and resource gathering, but with this resource, you are off to a much easier start!  The benefits for students are huge!  By merging science with Spanish Language Arts and Reading, teachers and educators can provide a more inclusive, engaging and effective educational experience for the kids.

This guide offers a starting point for you to develop your unit so that you can tailor it to the specific needs in your classroom along with the educational goals you have set up.  With the right resources and approaches, students will flourish in both their scientific understanding and Spanish literacy.

If this post has helped you, please leave a kind comment below!