Chapter 7 Integrating Literature into the Curriculum Growing Up With Literature, 6e By: Walter E. Sawyer

Introduction A wide range of topics and activities can be used to address the total development of each child. Age-appropriate academics, art, music, free play, nutrition, and other parts of the program must be addressed as well. This chapter discusses a webbing strategy for planning activities for young children for each of the important aspects of the program.

Webs as Organizational Tools People understand new ideas by relating the new to the known. The process is likened to fitting new information into a web of information already possessed. This chapter focuses on the use of webbing as an organizational tool due to it’s ease of expansion and contraction, its flexibility, and its adaptability. Can also use a table, chart, or card files Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. It is simply a matter of finding the organizational tool one is most comfortable using.

A Web for Understanding

Planning with a Web Useful tool in a variety of planning situations. First, begin with a central theme. Next, select relevant items from the list and organize them under subheadings. Last, create a web that visually represents the total pictures. This same process can be used to plan a unit. Central idea: art, music, literature, science, social studies, nutrition, or math Then generate activities or books to use with the theme.

Literature Web Pick a topic related to literature Subheadings might include: poems, fingerplays, and stories related to a particular literature theme. Under each subheading list examples that might be used in the unit.

Subject Area Themes Science Study of themselves Body Teeth Food we eat Illness Good health Accident prevention Magnetism Bubbles Weather How things grow Electricity Solar System Simple Machines

Subject Area Themes (cont.) Social Studies Personal safety Emotions Families Farm City Land forms Lifestyles Climates History Historical figures Similarities and differences of people Cultural heritage Holidays Geography

Subject Area Themes (cont.) Mathematics Shapes Blocks Estimating Counting Adding Subtracting Measuring Graphing Charting Patterns

Subject Area Themes (cont.) The Arts Music Drama Songs Fingerplays Instruments Choral singing Plays Puppetry Skits Visual arts (color, design, collage, painting, markers, clay, 3-D art, etc.)

Listen to the Wind

Subject Area Themes (cont.) Basic Concepts Includes all of the taken-for-granted aspects of life that explain such things as size, proximity, action, spatial concepts, size, weight, color, sound, taste, feel, sweet, soft, bright, etc. Language Can be integrated with any of the other themes ABCs, color, words, word patterns, sequencing, solving puzzles, labeling, literature, picture dictionaries, listening, etc. Movement Growth and development, muscle control, coordination, group cooperation, etc. Nontraditional Celebrations Times other than holidays or the changing seasons (“Pets in Our World,” “Teddy Bear Celebration”)

Projects A project approach involves strategies that help to guide children through a study of real-world topics that interest them. The early childhood programs of Reggio Emilia provide exemplary models of the project approach. The six themes that underpin the program are: Teacher respect for the child Using relationships to support higher-level thinking Art as a medium to represent the children’s thinking Communicating the children’s learning to others Children and adults are not hurried Teachers have a variety of roles

Facilitating Integration Provide opportunities to re-create the learning enhances their understanding of the lesson. Use the motivation of the children to lead into another activity, even if it isn’t the next activity originally planned. A high interest level should be a deciding factor in shifting the order of the day’s activities. It is important to keep a sense of flexibility. Stop for “teachable moments.”

Cross-Cultural Units Most cultures identify special days or seasons as times for celebration of life, traditions, or important values. Each of these special days has the potential to increase understanding of our mutual humanity. Our country is increasingly multiethnic and multireligious. Careful thought and planning is warranted. Focus on learning, respecting, and the meaning and purpose of any holiday in our lives and in the lives of children. Can combine holidays for a themed celebration. Involve parents and the community. Early in the year ask what holidays and traditions families your class celebrate. This will help plan.