How to Fit Science & Social Studies

There is ongoing debate in the education community on how much emphasis should be placed on reading and math at under-performing schools at the expense of science and social studies. This article from the Post-Dispatch highlights the frustration of one teacher at Fanning over the scaling back of science and social studies classes so students who are below grade level in reading and math can get caught up.

UrbanFUTURE has recognized this issue in putting together its IMPACT tutoring curriculum. On the one hand, students need strong vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking and logical reasoning skills to fully grasp topics in science and social studies. On the other hand, removing these subjects completely, robs students of opportunities to learn about the world they live in and have an understanding of why things are the way they are.

To combat this issue, UrbanFUTURE is working to embed science and social studies topics into reading and math activities that students complete with IMPACT tutors. This will help students learn about gravity or ancient Egyptian culture, while building vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking skills. In fact, UrbanFUTURE has learned that this is exactly how some of the teachers cover science and social studies topics in their classroom and embedding these lessons into reading, writing and math.

As a way to further enhance the student's experience with science and social studies, UrbanFUTURE is using its Explore! program to take kids on field trips that will introduce them to professionals in science and social studies fields. These field trips will give kids hands-on opportunities and create excitement in career fields in science and social studies.

UrbanFUTURE would like to thank Monsanto for providing funding to expand our IMPACT curriculum into science and help cover the cost of these field trips. Its funders like Monsanto that help more students have opportunities to grow in all academic areas so they can see and believe in their possibilities!

Adding to Achieve

This quarter, Damien set a goal to improve his math grade and his reading score. Between Damien, his mentor, Preston and his mother, LaTonya, they decided that Damien could achieve these goals by asking for extra work in math and reading more at home.

Damien has worked extra hard this quarter to complete his math packet and has gone above and beyond his literacy goal by reading more minutes a day than he even planned. The consistency of the INSPIRE team meeting almost every week this quarter, has helped keep Damien on track. He is learning that doing adding a little more work, can go a long way in helping him achieve his goals. Way to go, gentleman!

If you would like to volunteer as a mentor or tutor with UrbanFUTURE, call David Carroll at (314)776-3434 and sign up for an upcoming information session. Don't have time to volunteer, consider making a donation online at www.urbanfuturestl.org.

Reading to Succeed

At the beginning of the quarter, Lori set an academic goal to improve her reading grade by reading at least twice a week for 30 minutes at home. She also set a character goal to help out at home by helping her family move and keeping her room clean, which she has done all quarter!


To work towards her reading goal, Lori and her mentor, Megan, have come up with some great steps. She has been reading at home, keeping a vocabulary journal and has met with Megan every week this quarter to talk about her goals. Last week, Lori's hard work paid off. She got 100% on her reading test proving to herself that she can reach her goals when she puts her mind to it. Keep up the good work, Lori and Megan!


To learn how you can support urban youth in seeing and believing in the their possibilities, go to http://www.urbanfuturestl.org/ or call us at (314)776-3434.