Curriculum Integration

Curriculum IntegrationA brief summary for EDU312

Mark EnfieldWhat is Curriculum Integration?First, what are your ideas?What do you think it means to integrate curriculum?How do you think teachers integrate curriculum?Why should we think about integrated curriculum?What are some pitfalls of curriculum integration?

There are many models: What do you notice?

I think about two approaches:The bad ThemesDisciplines are distinctThere is no overlapping skillLimits critical thinkingWhat are themes?Bears, Bees, and BunniesSeasonal themesEven Black History month is a themeThe good ConceptsMakes connectionsRequires skills in multiple areasInvites critical thinkingWhat are concepts?Big ideasProcesses occurring over time, Continuity and change, Relationships among people and the worldWhat are some approaches to Conceptual Integration?Start with a CONCEPT not a theme or activity.The concept can be organized a few waysProblem Based Learning - A large common problem (e.g. recycling) is taken up by a class and students use all content knowledge to explore the problem and develop solutions.Authentic Inquiry Students are asked to investigate an issue that results in authentic work (e.g. writing a book, pamphlet, newspaper; creating an exhibit; designing and developing something for the school or community) that reflects work done in the real world for real purposes.