LGA3101

Week 17

Tutorial:
Discuss
1) Why is using an integrated curriculum beneficial? When is it not recommended?
2) What is the difference between a literature web, a single book web, and an
integrated curriculum?
Beneficial of integrated curriculum
Integration acknowledges and builds on the relationships which exist among all things.
An integrated
curriculum implies learning that is synthesized across traditional subject areas and
learning
experiences that are designed to be mutually reinforcing. This approach develops the
childs ability
to transfer their learning to other settings.
Research also suggests that an integrated approach to learning is brain compatible.
The brain learns best in real-life, immersion-style multi-path learningfragmented,
piecemeal presenting can forever kill the joy and love of learning (Jensen, 1996). The
more connections made by the brain, the greater the opportunity for making high
level inferences.
Integrating the curriculum is also reflective of developmentally appropriate practice.
The curriculum is integrated so that childrens learning occurs primarily through
projects, themes, or topics that reflect childrens interests and suggestions.
Projects and themes are valuable instructional tools for accommodating all learners in
the classroom.
Skills are taught as needed to accomplish projects (Bredekamp, 1992).
The Literature Web
The Literature Web is a model designed to guide interpretation of a literature selection
by encouraging a reader to connect personal response with particular elements of the
text. The web may be completed independently and/or as a tool for discussion.
Recommended use is to have students complete the web independently and then
share ideas in a small group, followed by a teacher-facilitated debriefing. The web has
five components:
Key Words: interesting, unfamiliar, striking, or particularly important words and
phrases contained within the text
Feelings: the reader's feelings, with discussion of specific text details inspiring them;
the characters' feelings; and the feelings the reader infers the author intended to
inspire
Ideas: major themes and main ideas of the text; key concepts
Images and Symbols: notable sensory images in the text, "pictures" in they reader's
mind and the text that inspired them, symbols for abstract ideas
Structure: the form and structure of the writing and how they contribute to meaning;
may identify such features as use of unusual time sequence in narrative, such as
flashbacks, use of voice, use of figurative language, etc.; style of writing
An integrated curriculum

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Week 17

allows children to pursue learning in a holistic way, without therestrictions often

imposed by subject boundaries. In early childhood programs it focuses upon theinterrelatedness of all curricular areas in helpingchildren acquire basic learning tools. It
recognizesthat the curriculum for the primary gradesincludes reading, writing,
listening, speaking,literature, drama, social studies, math, science,health, physical
education, music, and visual arts.The curriculum also incorporates
investigativeprocesses and technology. It emphasizes theimportance of maintaining
partnerships withfamilies; having knowledge of children and howthey learn; and
building upon the community andcultural context. Integrated teaching and
learningprocesses enable children to acquire and use basicskills in all the content
areas and to developpositive attitudes for continued successfullearning throughout
the elementary grades.

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Week 17

ISL:
Read Elementary childrens literature: the basics for teachers and parents. By
Anderson, N. A. Chapter 14.