The Effects of Writing Activities on Grade 4 Children's Understanding of Simple Machines, Inventions, and Inventors.

This paper explores the effects of infusing writing-to-learn strategies into an inquiry-oriented science unit on simple machines, inventions and inventors. This study used an intact group pretest and posttest design to capture the ecological validity of a classroom of grade 4 students and teacher. The design incorporated quantitative research methods of structured interviews of target students. Students' science understanding and writing skills...