Multimodal STEM Text Sets

A multimodal STEM text set is a coherent sequence of texts and materials pertaining to a specific STEM topic or line of inquiry that supports diverse learners in building the vocabulary and background knowledge required for reading comprehension, grounded in evidence. The topic or line of inquiry of the text set is determined by an anchor text – a rich, complex grade-level text that has accompanying scaffolded instructional supports and linked science inquiry. The subsidiary scaffolding texts, multimodal materials and inquiry depend on resource availability and the needs of the students.

Multimodal Text Sets Include:

• A text set is a collection of related texts from different genres, media and levels of reading difficulty, organized around a topic or line of inquiry.
• The line of inquiry of a given set is determined by an anchor text – a rich, complex grade-level text.
• The number of texts in a set can vary depending on purpose and resource availability around a given topic. What is important is that the texts in the set are connected meaningfully to each other to deepen student understanding of the anchor text.
• They are strategically sequenced to build vocabulary and knowledge, with the aim of supporting diverse learners in reading high quality, complex grade level texts.

These multimodal STEM text sets are the product of  the Linking Science and Literacy for All Learners program out of the University of Missouri. Learn more about the multimodal STEM text sets in these articles from the NSTA's Science Scope: Multimodal Text Sets to Use Literature and Engage All Learners in the Science Classroom and Flight of the Bumblebee.