Cross-Curricular Learning

'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.

By teaching thematically, it would enable me to integrate the four core National Curriculum subjects within a theme. This method of theme based units utilises and builds on children's interests and life experiences, therefore skills and knowledge are developed in meaningful ways.(Kerry. T (2011) Cross-curricular teaching in the primary school, Oxon: Routledge) The Intermediate Program Policy Grades 4 to 10 (1993) suggests that the more students become engaged in how and what they study, the more interested they are in learning. Likewise, Bruner also supports the notion of children to be involved in their own learning process, so that connections could be made through personal discovery and enquiry and not just being passive receivers of information. This clearly highlights the importance of children taking an active role of their learning. Therefore in my approach of delivering the core subjects, it would be necessary for me to collaborate ...

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...thods, as both approaches could be used in conjunctival. The mixture of thematic teaching and disciplinary teaching would enable the successful delivery of the core National curriculum subjects. Not only does theme- based units helps support the learning across many areas of the curriculum, but it enables children to find and make connections with subjects and between subjects. This idea of teaching suggests that skills, knowledge and experiences could be made transferable and the notion of continuity of learning within the school and children's wider life experiences outside school. Very often, the thematic approach tends to lie on children's interests which then in turn branches out like the ripples from the stone thrown in the water. Cross-curricular learning is a creative approach which allows the flexibility for both teachers and children to become creative.