|
Standard 2:
Integrated Curriculum
Demonstrates the ability to integrate the concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures among the disciplines.
Integrating curricula
All students need to be encouraged to recognize that all of life is interconnected. Academic
subjects have traditionally been taught in isolation from one another. Students often struggle to identify the importance
of particular learning in the absence of any real context for it. Integrating curricula from multiple subject areas
not only helps to provide that context but it also gives teachers more opportunities to teach those lesser-stressed subjects
like social studies, art and music.
In a 5th grade-level reading
class, students were asked to create a book box. In order to create a book box, the students had to read a social
studies-related children's book, decorate the box to reflect the story, include artifacts in the box that related
to the story (most of these were hand-made by the students) and also include a brief summary of the story including its
historical significance.
Using this engaging project, the teacher was able to integrate reading, writing, social studies and
art into one fun hands-on lesson.
| Representative Donald G. Soctomah |
|
Integrating outside resources
Not only is it useful to integrate curricula to heighten learning, effective
teachers also understand when and how to best use outside resources and personnel to provide both a different perspective
and a fresh face to the students. In a class related to the book box above, the 5th grade social studies students were
also treated to a visit from Passamaquoddy Representative Donald G. Soctomah who spoke of his Native American heritage. The
visit was a real treat for the kids who were able to ask questions as well as touch the relics that Rep. Soctomah brought
with him. These two experiences far advanced the learning that would have occured with a less interactive approach.
|
