Although I love Biology, I realize my city kids need to be lured in and convinced of the content's merit. I also realize my job is to help cultivate my students overall not just educate them about Biology; I teach freshman Biology and Anatomy & Physiology to juniors and seniors.
To help cultivate my students in a more general sense, I want to help develop their vocabulary and critical reading skills. Reading is the number one thing students can do to improve their ACT score which unlocks the door to scholarships and admittance to the colleges and universities of their choice.
My district is making a real push towards including some reading in the classroom. I typically do not use classroom time for textbook reading and thought about what book might be useful in conveying the curriculum and stimulating discussion. Lewis Thomas' "Lives of a Cell" came to mind since it has a somewhat sophisticated vocabulary and consistently makes efforts to link cell biology to the larger world.
Cultivating an interest in reading can give my students a lifetime reward. Developing their vocabulary and exposing them to good writing can also help them reach their more immediate goals of going to college, hopefully with some scholarship money in their pocket.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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