Elementary education has traditionally focused on English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, often at the expense of social studies and science. However, research shows that these content-rich subjects play a vital role in literacy development by building background knowledge, strengthening comprehension, and expanding vocabulary. To improve student outcomes, schools must take a more integrated approach to literacy instruction.
This post explores how integrating social studies and science into literacy instruction can drive student success. For a deeper dive into research-based strategies, download our free eBook, Rethinking Literacy in K-5 Classrooms: How Social Studies and Science Drive Academic Success.
The Need for Content-Rich Instruction in Elementary Education
Dedicating time to social studies and science transforms classrooms, boosting student engagement while driving measurable gains in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Yet in many K-5 classrooms, social studies and science are not a priority, which misses an opportunity to enhance overall academic achievement.
The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores reveal a troubling trend: the average reading scores for both fourth graders and eighth graders were two points lower than in 2022 and five points lower than in 2019. With only 47 percent of elementary students meeting or exceeding ELA standards, it’s time to reconsider our approach to literacy instruction. Research shows that integrating social studies and science into the curriculum does more than preserve these subjects—it actively drives literacy gains, it actively drives literacy gains, as seen in the impact of social studies on reading comprehension and the role of science in literacy development.
Building Knowledge, Boosting Literacy
Recent research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education underscores the significant impact of knowledge-building on enhancing literacy achievement. In their study of almost 3,000 students across 30 schools, researchers found that systematically building background knowledge through science instruction improved reading comprehension not just in science texts but also in various subjects, including history and literature.
The study utilized a spiral curriculum that “progresses from simple to more complex concepts over time and steadily builds up students’ knowledge to improve reading comprehension.” This approach proved particularly effective for historically underserved populations, with significant gains observed among Black and Hispanic students from low- and middle-income backgrounds.
How Social Studies and Science Strengthen Literacy
Research confirms that social studies and science play a crucial role in strengthening literacy skills. While traditional approaches often emphasize additional English Language Arts (ELA) instruction, studies show that building background knowledge through content-rich subjects is far more effective.
A groundbreaking study published in Social Education found that social studies has a clear, positive, and statistically significant effect on reading improvement. In contrast, extra time spent on ELA alone showed no significant impact on reading gains. Researchers Adam Tyner and Sarah Kabourek discovered that students receiving 30 additional minutes of daily social studies instruction in grades 1-5 outperformed their peers by 15 percent of a standard deviation on fifth-grade reading assessments. The impact was particularly strong for historically underserved students, with lower-income families and English language learners (ELLs) seeing the greatest gains.
Similarly, a February 2024 study in Developmental Psychology provided strong causal evidence that science instruction also drives literacy growth. Conducted in a large urban district serving predominantly Black and Hispanic students, the study found that 40 percent of students from low-income families showed significant improvements in reading comprehension when science instruction was integrated with literacy instruction.
As Timothy Shanahan, a literacy expert and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, explains, “The study makes it very clear that it is possible to combine reading with social studies and science curriculum in powerful ways that can improve both literacy and content knowledge.”
Together, these studies reinforce a critical message: background knowledge is essential for reading success. Social studies and science provide students with the context and vocabulary they need to make sense of what they read—enhancing comprehension across all subjects.
Explore how social studies boosts academic success and how science instruction enhances critical thinking and vocabulary.
The Challenge: Making Time for Content-Rich Instruction
Despite overwhelming evidence supporting content-rich instruction, social studies and science receive a fraction of the instructional time devoted to ELA. A 2018 national survey found that K-3 teachers spent an average of 89 minutes daily on ELA and 57 minutes on math, but only 18 minutes on science and 16 minutes on social studies.
According to the Council of Chief State School Officers, of the total instructional time in elementary schools, only about 10.6 percent of K-5 instructional time is devoted to social studies, compared to 53.40 percent for English language arts and 25.3 percent for mathematics.
This imbalance persists despite growing evidence that a more balanced approach yields stronger academic outcomes across all subjects. Learn how to implement strategies that prioritize social studies and science without sacrificing literacy goals.
Integrating Social Studies and Science to Strengthen Literacy and Academic Success
The evidence is clear: integrating social studies and science into elementary instruction is not just about preserving these subjects—it’s a powerful way to maximize literacy development and elevate academic success for all students. While finding time in the school day for social studies and science may seem challenging, the results speak for themselves: stronger literacy skills, greater overall academic achievement, and a more successful learning experience for all students.
Ready to transform your approach to elementary literacy instruction? Our comprehensive eBook provides in-depth strategies for integrating social studies and science into your literacy program, including:
- Research-based integration techniques
- Implementation strategies that work
- Success stories from districts already seeing results
- Professional development frameworks
Download TCI’s free eBook, Rethinking Literacy in K-5 Classrooms: How Social Studies and Science Drive Academic Success to start transforming literacy instruction in your school.
This post is part of a four-part blog series; see the other parts here:
