Chapter 8 Curriculum Integration in the Classroom

Chapter objectives Describe the benefits of integrated curriculum. Describe the role movement plays in learning. Design an integrated unit around a theme. Locate games and resources to incorporate movement into classroom.

Research Indicates How We Remember Best (Fauth 1990) People retain: 10 percent of what they read 20 percent of what they hear 30 percent of what they see 50 percent of what they hear and say at the same time 70 percent of what they hear, see, and say 90 percent of what they hear, see, say, and do

Integrated and Interdisciplinary The terms integrated and interdisciplinary are often used interchangeably. Interdisciplinary is defined as “an educational process in which two or more subject areas are integrated with the goal of fostering enhanced learning in each subject area” (Cone et al., 1998).

Curriculum Integration Occurs In Two Ways Movement is included in the classroom curriculum Academic subjects (classroom curriculum) are included in the physical education curriculum

Choosing Literature Choose literature that does not contain cultural and gender stereotypes. Choose a variety of literature pieces that represent all the cultures in your classroom. Ask students to bring special books to share that represent their culture. Encourage students with disabilities to share books about their disability and lead the class in a movement activity.

Students Benefit from Integrating Movement Movement improves circulation. Movement increases the oxygen supply to the brain. Movement regulates children’s moods. Movement encourages the body’s natural motivators. Movement reduces the amount of time spent sitting.

Students Benefit from Integrating Movement Movement discourages passive learning. Movement “pins down” thought. Movement anchors thought. Movement generates interest. Movement maintains a mind-body state.

Brain Gym (Dennison & Dennison, 1989) Activities that stimulate the mind and body to prepare a child to learn. Brain Gym is categorized into three sections: (1) midline movements, (2) lengthening activities, and (3) energy exercises and deepening attitudes.

Brain Gym: Midline Movements Midline movements are movements that help stimulate both hemispheres of the brain at the same time. A movement on the right side of the body activates the left side of the brain, whereas a movement on the left side of the body activates the right side of the brain. Movements that use both sides of the body and cross the center midline help increase gross motor and find motor coordination. Cross Crawls

Brain Gym: Lengthening Activities Lengthening activities help students to develop and reinforce those neural pathways that enable them to make connections between what they already know in the back of the brain and the ability to express and process that information in the front of the brain. Lengthening activities actually lengthen the muscles in the neck and shoulders, helping the muscles relax after long periods of sitting, reading, or close visual work. The Owl

Brain Gym: Energy Exercises and Postures for Deepening Attitudes Helps re-establish neural connections between body and brain, thus facilitating the flow of electromagnetic energy through the body. These activities support electrical and chemical changes that occur during all mental and physical events. Hook-Ups

Designing Theme Units in Subject Areas A theme can provide a means for integration between subjects. Integration activities are conducive to teaching through the multiple intelligences.

Integrating Themes: Olympics Olympic Math Olympic History Olympic Social Studies Olympic Language Arts Olympic Science Olympic Sign Language Olympic Foreign Language Olympic Art Olympic Music/Drama Olympic Physical Education