How Integrated Literacy and Content-Area Instruction Improves Reading Outcomes in the Early Grades

This chapter discusses the value of integrating literacy and content-area instruction for students in the early grades (preschool – 2nd grade) and how this type of instruction relates to reading outcomes. We first describe the importance of oral language and content knowledge for reading. Then, we describe the current evidence base of integrated literacy and content-area instruction on students’ vocabulary, comprehension, and content knowledge outcomes, including longitudinal investigations of this approach. Finally, we discuss how teachers can integrate literacy and content-area instruction in the classroom through interactive read-alouds by using: (1) conceptually coherent text sets and (2) content-rich conversations. We provide examples and guidance for each of these practices.