In this article, literacy and technology are presented as integral tools within content lessons. Content area lessons that infuse literacy and technology are presented and explained. The lessons are drawn from practicing teachers who have completed a graduate course, “Teaching Reading in the Content Areas,” at my institution (Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, Virginia, USA).
The course is intended for middle and high school teachers who teach such things as English, history, geography, economics, mathematics, science, and other disciplines, and for elementary teachers in self-contained classrooms who teach all of these subjects. The course is designed to create an understanding among teachers that students learn subject matter more effectively when they have effective tools and know how to use them — specifically literacy and technology strategies. The course goal is that teachers will incorporate these strategies into their subject matter teaching.