Cross-curricular opportunities in the WL classroom Spring TFLTA Conference 2014 Abby Eakin French Powell High School
Why? “Without belaboring the point that teacher isolation has to end, unless teachers stop departmentalizing their teaching and start teaching knowledge in context of other knowledge, student learning will continue to be stuck at the dam. It is time for teachers to collaborate.” -Ben Johnson Deeper Learning: Why Cross-Curricular Teaching is Essential
Objectives: • Discuss the benefits of cross-curricular interaction • Navigate potential speed bumps in preparation and execution of the lesson • Explore how the lessons connect with TEAM and Common Core • Share out of best practices in relation to cross- curricular activities and the new curriculum
The Benefits: “There was an improvement in the quality of numerous areas of pupil learning, including: questioning, self and group reflection, sharing of ideas, consensus and awareness of task requirements.” -Andrew Price National Teacher Research Panel What are the Benefits of Teaching and Learning of Cross-Curricular Work Using Thinking Skills, Techniques and Language?
Benefits Continued • Use prior knowledge of the world and past experiences with language and text to create relationships among various sources of information: Students build upon their current knowledge base and connect what they know with what they are learning. As new ideas are gleaned from a variety of reading experiences, they become integrated with previously learned information. MaryEllen Vogt Cross Curricular Thematic Instruction Eduplace
Background Information French, Art, and Mardi Gras French, Fondue, Spanish, and Shakira
How: • Keep it simple PLAN ALL THE • Build yearly THINGS! • Establish clear goals • #PLANALLTHETHINGS • Student Hook
The Preparations: Student Hook • Presentation on food • Classes together • Listen to song • Assign Items to bring • We’re going to wage war on the principal
The Preparations: • Start with the end. How will we know the lesson was successful? What will it look like? o Students will create masks representing the colors, expressions, and overall theme of Mardi Gras integrating elements from around the world. o Students will compare and contrast the Mardi Gras traditions of Brazil, Italy, and the US o Students will make regionally relevant dishes to share.
Day Of • Start early • Remind 101 students of locale • Final run-through of lesson • Materials ready and accessible • HAVE FUN!
The Results: Beautiful! Delicious! Educational!
Are there more opportunities? Short answer - Yes!
C’est a vous! In groups of 4-5 organize the following: •Cross-Curricular Activity (Already Done) •Goal •TEAM Relevancy •New Curriculum Relevancy •Focus on authenticity
Soyez Creatifs! Activity - NEW and IMPROVED Goal / Standard TEAM New Curriculum
Merci pour votre attention FIN
Resources: • National Teacher Research Panel What are the Benefits of Teaching and Learning of Cross-Curricular Work Using Thinking Skills, Techniques and Language http://www.ntrp.org.uk/sites/all/documents/A.%20Price%20FINAL.pdf • Edutopia Deeper Learning: Why Cross-Curricular Teaching is Essential http://www.edutopia.org/blog/cross-curricular-teaching-deeper-learning-ben- johnson • Cross Curricular Thematic Instruction Eduplace http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/res/vogt.html
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