1. Martinez-Alvarez, P. , Bannan, B. , & Peters-Burton, E. (2012)
Martinez-Alvarez, P., Bannan, B., & Peters-Burton, E. (2012). Effect of strategy instruction on fourth- grade dual language learners' ability to monitor their comprehension of scientific texts. Bilingual Research Journal, 35(3), Retrieved from
Patricia Martínez-Álvarez is Visiting Assistant Professor in the Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Brenda Bannan is Associate Professor in the Division of Learning Technologies at George Mason University.
Erin E. Peters-Burton is Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology and Science Education at George Mason University.

2. Research question / problem
Does InSciRead have an effect on the ability of dual-language fourth graders to monitor their comprehension as measured by their ability to detect incongruent sentences before controlling for guessing?
Does the InSciRead have an effect on the ability of dual language fourth grade learners to monitor their comprehension as measured by their ability to detect incongruent sentences after controlling for guessing?
Hypothesis – they would demonstrate greater ability both before and after

3. Purpose
To describe and set the context for an instructional model taught in Spanish called InSciRead (Instruction in Science and Reading)
To investigate instructional practices to improve reading comprehension with scientific texts and ability to transfer strategies

4. Research design
Who: 78 dual language learners (8 with disabilities) going to a K-5 school in eastern US
What: mixed methods quasi-experimental design; control groups and treatment group
How long: Students’ ability to monitor their comprehension was measured in the beginning of the year and the end of the year

5. Key Results
Statistically significant difference between the treatment groups and the control group on post- implementation scores in the total number of sentences correctly identified in detecting incongruities measure (p = .03)
No significant difference in the 2nd research question (p=.06) that students exposed to InSciRead would have a greater ability to monitor their comprehension.

6. Importance / Evaluation
Teaching students to monitor their understanding of texts is important, especially with second language learners or special education students.
Providing new material with a familiar context and providing opportunities for open ended exploration are key to understanding new material.