CLINTON -- Integrating literacy with science instruction produces a "win-win" for students, teachers demonstrated to School Administrative District 49 directors Monday night.

Teachers from Benton Elementary School and Lawrence High provided the school board with reports on the SAD 49 science curriculum project. They are instructing their students to use rich and precise language in their lessons.

Teachers Kellie Hopper and Amanda Delorie got help from six Benton Elementary sixth-graders. Lucus Knox, Jesse Dodge, Brad Wilbur, Kapriece Dahms, Brianna Counts and Paige Belanger sat on the floor in front of the board as Hopper provided details of a writers' workshop.

Hopper displayed the book/audio "The Down to Earth Guide to Global Warming." She explained that, if the polar ice caps could talk, they might well use the famous words of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz: "I'm melting."

She then asked the students questions, which they answered for the board.

"It's all about using literacy to get to science," Hopper said.

Delorie explained that elementary school students, like their high school peers, use "hooks," or fun examples, to get students interested in a science subject.

"The goal of the hook is to get the students engaged and to make it meaningful for them," Delorie told the board.

Lawrence science teachers Wanda Lord and Kevin Melady also use hooks.

Ward said she refers to episodes from the hit television show "CSI" to engage her students. She also displayed artificial bones and photos, and talked about debates on the water quality at China Lake.

Melady explained the science department's methods.

"The science department built the system backwards, to get the results that we wanted," Melady said. "We go for purpose, procedure and then a conclusion."

Melady added that the Lawrence science department is the first to adopt this procedure, and that it will filter through the rest of the school curriculum.

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com