Throughout this program, you have had the opportunity to research different methods of incorporating various content areas. As an elementary educator, one of the greatest challenges will be incorporating each of these content areas in your planning. The ability to use each content area to support the others will lessen this challenge in planning throughout the year. Further, using content-specific areas to support other content areas helps students draw real-world connections to curriculum and instruction.
Part 1: Cross-Curricular Plan
You are an elementary teacher, and your school has decided to conduct two days of virtual learning each week. Therefore, your planning must be a hybrid of in-person and virtual learning where you consider how to differentiate and engage students in each environment.
For this benchmark, plan how to integrate social studies into your weekly planning. For example, think about how social studies content can support math computation, or how social studies can support learning to critically read. Use the “Cross Curricular Social Studies Weekly Plan” template to plan how you will utilize social studies to support other content area standards. Within the plan include the following:
A minimum of two social studies standards. At least one arts standard that can be used to enhance student learning throughout the week. At least one science and/or math standard that can be supported during the week. At least one English/ELA standard that can be supported during the week. In the Instructional Strategies section of the planning template, include strategies and tools that encourage students to creatively identify, question, and analyze ideas from diverse perspectives. In the Activities and Engagement Strategies section of the planning template, include experiences that engage students in collaborative and self-directed learning in both virtual and in-person environments. At least one opportunity for students to create real-world connections and extend their learning locally and globally. Part 2: Reflection
In 250 words justify how you created real-world connections that motivate students, promote cross-curricular skills and inquiry, and extend learning locally and globally. Describe your struggles and strengths in creating a cross-curricular plan for a hybrid environment.
Support the plan with 3-5 scholarly resources.