The main concern I have with integrating the curriculum is where to start, by that I mean which subject(s) to integrate first. I would want it to be a smooth transition for me and appropriate for my students. My next concern is timing. With so much to do as a teacher already, I am worried that I will not have enough time up front to plan for integration successfully. I am sure that once I start, it will be easier for me to integrate the curriculum as I gain more experience as a teacher.
I think the reason we are not seeing this more often in schools is standardized testing. The pressure of success on teachers and students has led us to teach to the test and hanging non-tested subjects out to dry. As I said, teachers have a lot on their plates already, and time is not on their side. I believe they feel overwhelmed and adding more might worry them. I think they may not receiving training on how to integrate curriculum like we are right now, so they may be reluctant to do so in their own classrooms.
I would advocate for non-tested subjects by using the Common Core because it lends itself to integration. In working with the standards, integrating other subjects seems like a natural fit and makes time in return. Another way I would advocate for these subjects, particularly social studies, is to inform others that I am teaching future leaders of our country and just because they are not being tested on the material does not mean they should not learn about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment