Social Studies and Science Integration into

the Guided Reading Program

Department of Curriculum & Accountability

Dr. Andre Crafford, Elementary Education Specialist Shelby County Schools

What is it and WHY?

The Definition of Curriculum Integration An integration is a philosophy of teaching in which content is drawn from several subject areas to focus on a particular topic or theme, rather than studying math, language, science, or social studies in isolation.

The Purpose of Curriculum Integration Integration connects subject areas in ways that reflect the real world. When we set curriculum in the context of human experience, it begins to assume a new relevance. Higher-order thinking skills become a necessity as students begin to grapple with real issues and problems that transcend the boundaries of disciplines.

We live in a global world characterized by ever-accelerating change, technological advances, a knowledge explosion, changing economic and social realities, and, perhaps, impending environmental disaster. The educational system seems to be constantly under attack. Critics claim that students are dropping out at an alarming rate. Those who stay in school are not doing well enough to be able to compete in a global economy and maintain a high standard of living.

Educational Theorists

Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive DevelopmentStudents can examine and study academic and social criteria through experimentation and discovery. They can access prior knowledge and experiences to increase their cognitive processes.

John DeweyA connection must be established between the student's knowledge and the material to be learned. A child's developmental progress depends on the stimuli which surrounds him or her-it must be that which helps them gain new experience. Must make sure that this knowledge is "experienced" by students instead of merely "learned."

“In the integrative curriculum, the planned learning experiences not only provide the learners with a unified view of commonly held knowledge (by learning the models, systems, and structures of the culture) but also motivate and develop learners' power to perceive new relationships and thus to create new models, systems, and structures.” (Dressel, 1958)

Dressel, P. "The Meaning and Significance of Integration." In The Integration of Educational Experiences, 57th Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, edited by Nelson B. Henry. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1958, 3-25.

Integrated Curriculum

Components• A combination of subjects

• An emphasis on projects

• Sources that go beyond textbooks

• Relationships among concepts

• Thematic units as organizing principles

• Flexible schedules

• Flexible student groupings

Results of Research

Research findings support the positive effects of curriculum integration.Results include:

• Integrated curriculum helps students apply skills.

• An integrated knowledge base leads to faster retrieval of information.

• Multiple perspectives lead to a more integrated knowledge base.

• Integrated curriculum encourages depth and breadth in learning.

• Integrated curriculum promotes positive attitudes in students.

• Integrated curriculum provides for more quality time for curriculum exploration.

Curriculum Diagrams

FRAGMENTED CURRICULUM INTEGRATED CURRICULUM

• Priorities that overlap multiple disciplines • Separate and distinct disciplines are examined for common skills & concepts • Connections are not made clear for students • Encourages students to see connections & • Less transfer of Learning interrelationships among disciplines

• Students are self-motivated

We teach what . . . .?

By rule and by law, the elementary grades lay thefoundations  for:• History• Geography• Economics• Government• Citizenship• Culture• Science, Technology, and Society• Social Studies Skills

FIRST STEP-SCS Curriculum Guideshttp://www.scsk12.org/SCS/curriculum_guides/Reading_Street/ind

ex.html

MAGAZINES

Utilize magazine web links for enrichment activities!Have parents buy a subscription for your class!

Use magazines in centers or discussion boxes!

Zoobooks $23.95 http://www.zoobooks.com

Ranger Rick $19.95 http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3

National Geographic Kids $19.95 http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Magazine web links

Sample TCAP question

Diagram from Zoobooks magazine

Technology

Have on laptops in center for listening!

Brainpop Jr. http://www.brainpopjr.com username: shelbyc password: shelbyc

 

PowerMedia Plushttp://www.powermediaplus.com(TN curriculum correlations—SPIs)

Children’s Literature

• CHOOSE Fiction or Nonfiction!

• USE your level readers!

• CHOOSE from many different reading levels!

• USE your school library and recommend titles for the collection!

References

Dressel, P. "The Meaning and Significance of Integration." In The Integration of Educational Experiences, 57th Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, edited by Nelson B. Henry. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1958, 3-25.

Lake, K. “Integrated Curriculum.” School Improvement Research Series. 2001. <http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/8/c016.html>

Markus, M. "Education 2000 Integrated Curriculum.” Phi Delta Kappan 72/10 (1991): 797.