Literacy-Infused Science Using Technology Innovation Opportunity (LISTO)

LISTO is a multi-year professional development and curriculum intervention for fifth-grade science teachers in predominantly low-income, rural Texas schools. The program provides standards-aligned, literacy-infused science curricula covering 25 weeks of instruction designed for 80-minute science blocks using the 5E instructional model. LISTO includes ongoing virtual professional development (VPD) sessions every two weeks, virtual mentoring and coaching (VMC) with real-time feedback via the Hoot Education platform and APEXIS hardware, and comprehensive curricular materials including lesson plans, scripts, resources, and hands-on science activity supplies. The curriculum integrates literacy skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) with science instruction through strategies like direct vocabulary instruction, strategic partner reading, graphic organizers, and technology integration via tablets. Teachers receive training on implementing research-based instructional strategies particularly effective for English learners and economically disadvantaged students.