Learning to read with a critical eye: cultivating discerning readers of media reports with a science component.

It is important for young people to be able to read science-related media reports with discernment. ‘Getting Newswise’ was a research project designed to enable science and English teachers, working collaboratively, to equip pupils through the curriculum with critical reading skills appropriate for science news. Phase one of the study found that science and English teachers respond differently to science news articles and eight categories of critical response were identified. These findings informed phase two, in which classroom activities were devised whereby pupils examined, evaluated and responded to science-related news reports. Science-English collaboration had positive outcomes for pupil understanding