1. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. –Aristotle
Developing units of study that teach across the curriculum

2. Agenda: Roadblock Research Possible unit for my class Video
How about you?

3. My Instructional Roadblock
Integrating across the curriculum is something I have always struggled with. We have separate subjects, so why not separate blocks to the teach them? However, I have learned that this is not in the best interest of the student. I have made it a personal and professional goal to integrate as much as I can in my class during the school year.

4. Research: Why Teach an Integrated Curriculum?
Allows teachers time to teach their NSSCS objectives.
Empowers students to take ownership of their learning.
Supports brain-based research
Focuses on both ideas and content
“It affords them the opportunity to identify topics, develop questions, plan inquiry, divide tasks, research information and share the learning process and content.”

5. Implementing Integration Strategies Helps Students:
See the connectivity and interaction among disciplines;
Choose appropriate activities;
Examine organizational patterns;
Develop research skills;
Attack multi-levels of activity and challenge;
Assume authentic responsibility;
Engage in active learning;
Work collaboratively with others and
Refine their technology skills.

6. Video on integration

7. Research (source-edutopia)
"The Logic of Interdisciplinary Studies," an exhaustive 1997 research report, found broad consensus among dozens of researchers as to what the report called the "positive educational outcomes" for students in an integrated- studies program:
Increased understanding, retention, and application of general concepts.
Better overall comprehension of global interdependencies, along with the development of multiple perspectives and points of view, as well as values.
Increased ability to make decisions, think critically and creatively, and synthesize knowledge beyond the disciplines.
Enhanced ability to identify, assess, and transfer significant information needed for solving novel problems.
Promotion of cooperative learning and a better attitude toward oneself as a learner and as a meaningful member of a community.
Increased motivation.

8. Questions to consider:
What type of writing can I read to my students that will match the writing that I want them to do?
Is it appropriate?
Am I forcing integration or does it fit?

9. How will I achieve this goal?
I plan to look closely at my content area standards in SS and science to see where integrating may work. If I can pull in reading standards, great! If not, I can at least write within the content in a variety of different genres and explore various craft that is applicable to the genre.

10. Example:

11. Activities to Facilitate the Integration
Read various school stories such as:
The fiction titles will help me to cover my reading standard
The informational titles will help me to cover my SS standard

12. The Writing Piece
Once we have read the stories for content and retell, we will begin to explore the genre of school stories as a choice of personal narrative.
We will list noticings of the school stories we read.
Possible workshops/mini lessons/craft lessons include:
Strong beginnings
Exploding the moment –middles-maybe
Mind pictures
Strong endings

13. How about You?

17. References
Research Article: “The Logic of Interdisciplinary Studies”
Dawn Mitchell-Integration Framework SWP 2014
Best Practices Article
Video –Edutopia
Edutopia- “Integrated Studies?: It Fosters a Way of Learning that Mimics Real Life”