The goals and operational values of the cross-curricular approach are to help the student develop self-regulating (learning-how-to-learn and metacognition) and lifelong learning skills as well as effective democratic citizenship skills (Alahiotis & Stavlioti, 2006; Stavlioti, p. 61; Koustourakis, 2007 p.133; Vars, 2007, p.7). In order to cope with the modern realities, there is a need to move from the traditional organization of curriculum into discrete subjects/discipline areas offering fragmented knowledge, to a more linked and unified approach to knowledge in a holistic way (Alahiotis & Stavlioti, 2006; Marshall, 2005, p. 229). Conferring with psychology, the child should be treated as a whole entity so this should be reflected in the way children learn (stavlioti, p. 54; Stavlioti megalo, p. 4). Studies have shown that links between the different disciplines and connections with real-life situations enhance brain synapses, so in this way learning is promoted through multiple stimuli that these connections send to neurons (stavlioti megalo, p. 5-6). “According to Piaget (1963), learning occurs when new information is attached to prior knowledge and placed in existing conceptual compartments or schemata” (as cited in Marshall, 2005, p. 229).
This integrative and alternative curriculum “would include cross-curricular objectives and be grounded on powerful learning environments” ones that include problem- and project- based tasks and promote student autonomy and control of the learning process (Alahiotis & Stavlioti, 2006, p.122). Inter- and intra- disciplinary knowledge is important to be included in curricular materials. Furthermore, it is noted that this approach is both content and process oriented and that is why is so deman...
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...h Association (pp.645-655). Nicosia, Cyprus: University of Cyprus.
Pavón Vázquez, V. & Rubio, F. (2010). Teachers’ concerns and uncertainties about the introduction of CLIL programmes. Porta Linguarum, 14, 45-58. http://www.ugr.es/~portalin/articulos/PL_numero14/3%20Teachers%20Concerns%20and%20Uncertainties_V%20Pavon_F%20Rubio.pdf
Serra, C. (2007). Assessing CLIL at Primary School: A Longitudinal Study. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 10(5), 582-602. http://dx.doi.org/10.2167/beb461.0
Stavlioti, K. E. & Alahiotis, N. S. (2007). Evaluation of a Cross-Thematic Curricular Innovation: Teachers Attitudes and the Flexible Zone (FZ). The International Journal of Learning, 14 (3), 267-276.
Vars, F. G. (2001). Can Curriculum Integration Survive in an Era of High-Stakes Testing?. Middle School Journal, 33 (2), 7-17. doi: 10.2307/23043475
Purcell, J., Lee, M., & Biffin, J. (2006). Supporting bilingual children in early childhood. Learning Links. Retrieved from http://www.learninglinks.org.au/pdf/infosheets/LLIS%2050_Bilingualism.pdf
'Making cognitive connections, within subjects and between subjects...' ( Piaget 1977, Cockburn and Haylock 2008,Rose 2009) is an aspect of cross-curricular learning. Generally speaking, cross-curricular learning is when skills, knowledge and attitudes of a number of disciplines which are applied to a single experience, problem, question, theme or idea. In simple terms, it's also known as a thematic approach. From this point, I'd be exploring the reasons why a thematic approach should be adopted in the classroom and this approach could deliver the four core subjects in the National Curriculum in Key Stage 1. On top of that I'd be exploring the issues raised of adopting a cross-curricular approach and the implications of using a theme-based unit of integrating various subjects within a theme.
...r they had all received the same language instruction for three years (kindergarten, first and second grade). These finding conclude that English language proficiency at the time of entering school does not matter. A good early literacy program works for both L1 students and ESL students who enter school at the kindergarten age. Students at that age are very susceptible to learning new languages quickly. The ESL children had difficulties in kindergarten, but by second grade they had caught up and were right on track with the L1 students and some of them even surpassed the L1 students.
Worthen, Blaine R., and Vicki Spandel. "Putting the Standardized Testing Debate in Perspective." Educational Leadership Feb. 1991: 65-69. ASCD. 1 Dec. 2013
In this essay I will be focusing on the learning opportunities that my creative medium term plan offers for the humanities subjects. I will also be analysing ‘interdisciplinary learning’ and reflecting on current theories, readings and pedagogies which have influenced my thought process and chosen lessons. The plan I have created focuses on ‘World Foods’ and is designed as ten sessions which run through one week of school, and will be taught to a year 6 class.
It is appropriate to know that this teaching practice is “multidimensional” because it involves getting new knowledge, performance assessment, techniques of instructing, classroom climate, the content of curriculum, relationship between a teacher and student. There is need for teachers from different disciplines to cooperate in disseminating concepts of a single culture as students play an active role in evaluating their performance (Banks, 2006).
By having a standardized curriculum schools are not challenging students. They are creating students that do not challenge what they are learning. Holt (2013) thought that standardized curriculum destroyed student’s freedom of thought, right to question, and the freedom to spread ideas. Every student is the same in a way. Every student is tested the same. The problem is that every student is not the same and every studen...
From my experience, bilingual education was a disadvantage during my childhood. At the age of twelve, I was introduced into a bilingual classroom for the first time. The crowded classroom was a combination of seventh and eighth grade Spanish-speaking students, who ranged from the ages of twelve to fifteen. The idea of bilingual education was to help students who weren’t fluent in the English language. The main focus of bilingual education was to teach English and, at the same time, teach a very basic knowledge of the core curriculum subjects: Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Unfortunately, bilingual education had academic, psychological, and social disadvantages for me.
...n language and the development of literacy. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 13(2), 175-186. doi: 10.1080/13670050903474085
In conclusion, education is broader than just falling into what the contemporary school system has to offer. Both Gatto and Graff proved this by explain how conforming students to certain perspectives of education limits their potential in other educational branches that interest the students. Also, curricula should bring a balance between making a school a place for obtaining information, and accommodating the educational demands for each individual student. It is imperative to understand that reforming the academic system, by fine-tuning schools to have its students learn what exactly they are interested in, will lead to having students accessing their full intellectual potential.
When reviewing the literature regarding the past, present and future of educational curriculum, several main points seem apparent, namely that curriculum is cyclical, that a dilemma or paradox exists, and that curriculum must be looked at with a sensitive view.
...thousands of years. Generally, bilingual education can mean any use of two languages in school, by teachers, students, or both – for a variety of social and pedagogical purposes. It also refers to the different approaches in the classroom that use the native languages of English language learners (ELLs) for instruction. These approaches include teaching English, fostering academic achievement, acculturating immigrants to a new society, and preserving a minority group’s linguistic and cultural heritage. Building on, rather than just discarding the students’ native-language skills, create a stronger foundation for success in English and academics. Also, if students learn languages at a younger age, it will be easier to remember and learn them, rather than if they were older. It helps to learn another language for students, and can later be useful in the future.
There is a “CORELATION” between the effects of “BILINGUALISM AND THE COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN”.
Jacobs, H. H. (1997). Mapping the big picture: Integrating curriculum and assessment. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory (Kearns, 2010) advocates that students play an active participant role in their own learning and I firmly believe that children are not just empty vessels waiting to be filled with just my personal knowledge. Children’s diversity in learning can bring new perceptions to even a well-balanced curriculum; to this end my approach to curriculum planning is flexible and adaptable as children’s needs and abilities are constantly changing (Arthur et al.