Likewise, we cannot afford to teach our students in an isolated fashion. When students are questioned about the various disciplines that they study in school, it is quite disturbing to hear them speak of their learning as, " Oh, we are doing math right now and later we will do reading." 😚 There is indeed a growing need for a more interdisciplinary curriculum in our schools. We are doing our students a disservice to continue separate subject areas of learning as unrelated bodies of knowledge. This grave disconnect is not allowing our students to see how school is related to not only their current lives, but their future lives as well. The school day has become so fragmented that students and teachers alike are simply going through the motions and not grasping or grappling with what school should and need to be about, which is interrelated knowledge that can easily be transferred into the lives of the individuals that we teach! We have to bridge the gaps of teaching and learning. Balanced Literacy sets the stage for interdisciplinary studies. Yet, it is important that our pedagogy reflects the fluidity of the structure. Essentially, it is important that our teaching mirrors less choppiness and more flow!
To learn more and to try to incorporate this approach to teaching in your classroom, follow this link. Also, check out the International Literacy Association's Bridges Units of instruction on Interdisciplinary Studies here.
***Remember to always let your standards/indicators, students, and formative and summative assessment drive your instruction! 😊
