An Interdisciplinary Lesson Using Language Arts and Social Studies

Presented by: Stacie Fernandez Linda Keiser John Navarra Robin Sanders Christine Shaw

The Importance of Interdisciplinary Units “Helping students to make connections between subject areas by integrating the curriculum increases meaning and retention, especially when students recognize a future use for the learning” (Sousa, 2002, p. 49).

What is ‘chunking’? ‘Chunking’ allows the learner to see sets of data as a single item, rather than many small fragments (Sousa, 2001, p. 109). Teaching the children how to ‘chunk’ can greatly increase learning and memory by expanding a student’s working memory capacity (Sousa, 2001, p. 112).

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown This is a story about a young boy named Stanley Lambchop, who wakes up one morning to find he’s been flattened by a bulletin board.

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown He soon discovers that his being flat has many advantages. The most interesting aspect is his ability to travel in an envelope through the mail, to California to visit family members.

Prior Knowledge: Social Studies: –Cultures/Traditions Geography United States Oceans Continents Countries Compass Rose Language Arts: -Writing Process Friendly Letter Creative Stories Syntax Journals - Story Components Characters Setting Plot

Lesson Procedures: Using the Flat Stanley letter template the students will identify the components of a friendly letter. Students will complete the letter template by adding necessary information. Students will address a 9 x 12 envelope to the recipient of Flat Stanley. Students place their Flat Stanley and letter inside the envelope to be mailed. Students will locate Flat Stanley’s destination on a map and calculate direction and distance to said destination.

The BIG Finale! Flat Stanley returns from his journey! Students create posters emphasizing Flat Stanley’s experiences and adventures! Parents, community members, and classmates are invited to a ‘Welcome Home Flat Stanley Reception!’ Students share their posters at the reception!

Research Connections “Authentic learning experiences shift a student from the role of a passive knowledge receiver into a more active role as a constructor of meaning” (Wiggins & McTighe,1998, p.11”) Procedures provide positive transfer of knowledge. This unit incorporates the “backward design process” (Wiggins & McTighe, 1998, p. 9)

Visit the Flat Stanley Website!! Teacher Resources Games Participating Teachers from around the world.

Resources: Hubert, D. (1995). Flat Stanley Website. Retrieved November 17, 2003, Sousa, D. A. (2002). How the Brain Learns. California, Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press, Incorporated. Wiggins, G., and McTighe, J. (1998). Understanding by Design. Virginia, Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Zemelman, S., Daniels, H., and Hyde, A. (1998). Best Practice. New Hampshire, Portsmouth: Heinemann.