Greenfox Schools. (Photographer). (2011). Empowering youth for a sustainable world. What we do.

Through
partnerships with schools and community. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.greenfoxschools.com/

Presented by Muhammad Abduh

 “When we try to
pick out anything
by itself, we find it
hitched to
everything else in
the universe.”
(Muir, 1911)
Panzner, M. (Photographer). (2011). Michael panzner ' s ah-ha moment & more.
[Print Photo]. Retrieved from
 WHAT WILL B E COVERED…

Curriculum Description
Characteristics of I.C.
How Children Learn by Incorporating
I.C. Goals of I.C.
Learning Environment
Instructional
Strategies
Accommodations
Methods of Assessment
WHAT IS INTEGRATED CURRICULUM?
The curriculum is integrated so that children's learning in all traditional subject areas occurs primarily
through projects and learning centers that teachers plan and that reflect children's interests and suggestions.

Also known as Interdisciplinary Curriculum

Connects academics across disciplines (technical/career content, incorporating standards,
and individual student needs and interests)
Allows students to see how ideas are connected
Incorporates real world problems & investigative processes
Prepares students for life-long learning
Develops abilities required by “Life”
Emphasizes projects
Goes beyond textbook learning
Usage of thematic units
Peer Teaching & Observations

Baker, R. (Photographer). (March 2012). Seeds, seeds, seeds!. [Web Photo].

Retrieved from http://bakersbeautbunch.blogspot.com/2012/03/seeds-
seeds-seeds.html
“Children’s need for inquiry
becomes the vehicle for
the integration.”
(Integrated Curriculum in the Primary Program, (n.d.) )
 C O M M O N CHARACTERISTICS
Cooperation and teamwork
Agreement on core learning
goals Risk-taking and flexibility
Focus on lifelong learning skills
Focus on the deeper structures
and understandings of a discipline
Peer observation and feedback
Experiences to develop children’s attitudes,
skills, and knowledge and to help them make
connections across the curriculum
Activities that provide for a
Peterson, K. (Photographer). (2010). The national girls collaborative project---reaching hands,
range ofexperiences
Whole class, small group, and individual abilities
minds, hearts, and girls. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
http://tinakingfellowship.blogspot.com/2011/01/national-girls-collaborative-project.html
Opportunities for critical and creative
thinking Teacher, peer, and self-assessment
 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM

Apply critical thinking skills across a variety of disciplines, including Art,

Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Communication, and Technology.
Enhance team working skills
Acquire skills that prepare them for lifelong learning.
Possess the appropriate knowledge and skills.
Critically evaluate written /oral communication and
express themselves.
Demonstrate ability to think logically about and develop investigative skills
within the demands of society involving their interests.
 TEACHER’S R O L E

Teachers guide children's involvement in projects and enrich the

learning experience by extending children's ideas, responding
to their questions, engaging them in conversation, and
challenging their thinking. The teacher’s willingness to share
what he/she values shows the children that learning is a
lifelong activity and
that their teacher is a person who thinks and feels and cares.
The teacher should take on the role of a partner.
 DIFFERENTIATED
INSTRUCTION

The teacher should provide individual

students or groups of students with work
tailored to their ability level

Teachers require higher level responses

for more capable students and allow
struggling students to produce more
rudimentary work

Greenfox Schools. (Photographer). (2011). Empowering youth for a sustainable world. What we do. Through
 Establishing high expectations for diverse
partnerships with schools and community. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.greenfoxschools.com/
students is also of vital importance

Lavishing praise and expressing belief

that students are talented and capable is
an important factor
 METHODS O F A S S E S S M E N T /
EVALUATION O F LEARNING
Observe how children work and play cooperatively (learning clubs, playground)

Work Sampling (personal and social development section)

Anecdotal notes while children carry out multiple intelligence activities and at various
times throughout the day when children are working

Community circle observations

Information being collected on all goal and curriculum areas

Student interviews to reflect children’s thought processes

Student’s self-assessments describing something they did

well at the end of each school day.
 EXAMPLE O F AN INTEGRATED
CURRICULUM

As the teacher plans appropriate learning experiences it becomes

obvious that not all curriculum content can be explored in an
integrated way. For example, the introduction of place value in
mathematics need not be related to the project and might better be
taught using concrete materials designed specifically for
enhancing development of concepts in mathematics. Once
understood, the concept of place value could subsequently be
integrated into other
activities and its connections in the real world highlighted.
RESOURCES

1. Bredekamp, S. (Ed.). (1990). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children
from birth through age 8 (Exp. ed.). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young
Children. http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea5lk7.htm
2. Baker, R. (Photographer). (March 2012). Seeds, seeds, seeds!. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
http://bakersbeautbunch.blogspot.com/2012/03/seeds-seeds-seeds.html
3. California School to Careers. (n.d.). How does curriculum integration work?. Retrieved from
http://www.schoolandbeyond.org/sblstrategy3.html
4. Edutopia. (Photographer). (n.d.). A new way to teach: Begin with the end. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/an-incredible-journey
5. Edutopia . (2008). Common sense: An overview of integrated studies. tfdutopia, Retrieved
from http://www.edutopia.org/integrated-studies-overview-video
6. Muir, J. (1911). (Quote)My first summer in the Sierras. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company
7. Peterson, K. (Photographer). (2010). The national girls collaborative project—reaching hands, minds, hearts, and
girls. {Web Photo}. Retrieved from http://tinakingfellowship.blogspot.com/2011/01/national-girls-
collaborative-project.html
8. Schreiner, E. (n.d.). Effective teaching strategies that accommodate diverse learners. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/way_5844024_effective-strategies-accommodate-diverse-learners.html
9. (n.d.). Integrated curriculum in the primary program. The Primary Program: Growing and Learning in the
Heartland Integrated Curriculum, Retrieved from http://www.education.ne.gov/OEC/pubs/pri_pro/IC.pdf