When we discuss integration, we don’t just mean integration within different subject areas, or even integration within our own specialist key learning area, our aim as educators is to integrate a combination of essential knowledge and skills that will prepare our students in becoming successful citizens.
One example of integration of knowledge may involve students gaining a deep understanding of the importance of communication within a group activity and then applying and demonstrating that skill while working collaboratively on a project. We don’t just want our students to critically understand the principle of integration, we want our students to see the importance placed on these skills and how being equipped with both knowledge and skills will prepare our students for life beyond our college environment.
In regards to cross curricular content, there are multiple opportunities to integrate arts education to ensure knowledge and understanding is relevant and meaningful to the student. This is almost a natural process in arts education as musical notation is related to both basic and complex mathematical equations, in that rhythms, note values and the time signature of a piece of music require students to apply common mathematical sums that are practised in the maths curriculum. Mathematic connections are further made in visual arts when students apply ratios to mix different colours, or are asked to draw a picture to a particular scale or proportion. Additionally students study literacy in musicology and case studies that allow them to make connections between different historical periods, in addition to identifying the cultural aspect and world perspective of their work.
I would like to draw your attention to the work our stage 4 students have been completing over the last two weeks, which has involved them learning about Vikings; what their everyday life was like and what their beliefs were. We further enabled students to explore their critical understanding by allowing them to create a fantasy Viking sculpture and compose a story about their creature. As teachers, therefore, we have essentially provided students with the knowledge through history and allowed them to explore, create, manipulate and practise their deep understanding of Viking life.
Working in integration does not just lie with our students, we as teachers, coaches and influential adults have a responsibility to demonstrate this act of integration in everyday life to ensure students uphold the importance of integration within our society. Most importantly, to assure that concepts, skills and abilities are interconnected and create more meaning to the learner.
I have included photos of our students beautiful work and I look forward to demonstrating more of these skills throughout the term. Happy weekend 🙂
Maureen cooper says
Love reading your blogs Sarah , makes so much sense