Lessons seem less fragmented and subjects become more alive when we can integrate and use cross-curricular instruction . Studying subjects in isolation can lead to disconnected knowledge. I try to incorporate interdisciplinary learning in my lessons as much as possible. This collaboration not only helps students stay on task, but creates a clearer picture of the whole. They learn to make their own real-world connections and start to think on a more practical level.
An example of this would be in social studies, where we learn about different areas where people live, and in science we learn about how the earth is formed and how it slowly changes. By using interdisciplinary learning, I combined these two subject together and showed the students a more whole and complete picture. We learned about different places and landforms around the world, and discover how they came to be. Then each student chose a culture/place, and a landmark to research using the internet, tying in language arts and technology. A few students who were researching places in South America asked if they could make a traditional food, so I found a recipe and everyone pitched in on supplies. They measured using their math skills, cooked, learned, and ate! They shared with all of the class, but of course once one group did it, everyone else was researching and wanted to make traditional food!
Fraction Picture
My favorite, and I know I'm not alone, is when I can collaborate with art! I feel that it lets students work be unique, and their own. In this example, I have integrated art and writing, with landforms and fractions. I like to do these exercises orally, but some students perform better when they can tick off the instructions.I use this as more of an assessment, and I love to see how excited the students get, because they get to draw a picture. I always smile, because it feels like I'm giving a secret test! They love to walk around the classroom afterwards and do a "gallery walk".