Today we will be looking at integration of science and other subjects into the classroom to create an integrated curriculum with your fellow teachers! First off I believe that the reason we need integration in our schools is not only because teachers in a school need to cooperate but because of the concept of multiple modalities. Here is a great resource as an introduction into multiple modalities, but the way this ties into integration is the fact that all kids learn differently! So lets look at some of the ways we can tie other subjects into our science classroom
Literacy: So I know that many of you may not enjoy your English, or language arts classes, but that doesn't mean that literacy does not have an important place in our science classroom. Literacy is not simply reading a book...
Literacy: So I know that many of you may not enjoy your English, or language arts classes, but that doesn't mean that literacy does not have an important place in our science classroom. Literacy is not simply reading a book...
Or really really really good books ------> Literacy, in my interpretation, is our ability and fluency in the language of a subject. In science students learn skills that will help them in life, like reading scientific articles/ research in the local news. This is why students need to see these skills in schools to prepare themselves for future literacy. Things like this can be easily integrated between the science and English classrooms to work together for literacy. |
Math: Now I'm sure you are all thinking "well this is obviously going to be about physics". And you are somewhat right. Physics is the clearest way to integrate the science and math fields in the classrooms. Most students struggle in physics if they have not taken some calculus or trigonometry before. Well what about math in life science? You might be surprised to find out that there is a ton of math involved in life sciences. So much math that there's even a book about it! The purpose of this book is to show how math is used in life science (apply named book); things like carrying capacity, chi squared tests, genetic drift, even punnet squares! All of these take skills that cannot only be taught in the science classroom but can be integrated into student's math classes to reinforce these skills for both.
P.E.: What is that saying? Those who can't do teach, and those who can't teach teach gym. At least the first part is a saying, the second part is from School of Rock. Well while it may make me laugh I do not agree with this statement. Physical education is one of the most important subjects in schools and we can easily integrate it into the science classroom.