THE POWER OF CROSS-CURRICULAR AND PROBLEM BASED LEARNING.

HOLLY MARTIN AND KATIE RAY

INTRODUCTIONS

KATIE RAY, ENGLISH TEACHER

HOLLY MARTIN, HISTORY TEACHER

OUR STORY….

THE JOURNEY

UNDERSTANDING OUR STUDENTS – TRUE COLORSORANGES

Like to have:• Freedom• Variety• Action and

activityValue:• Adventure• Fun and playLearning Context:• Hands –on• Freedom• Varieties of

opportunities to demonstrate learning

Learning Content:• Useful and

applicable skills

• Role playing

GOLDSLike to have:• Stability• Organization• ConsistencyValue:• Dependabilit

y• PerfectionLearning Context:• Independent

work• Traditional

assignments• RewardsLearning Content:• Detailed and

realistic presentation of facts

• Specific instructions

BLUESLike to have:• Empathy• Harmony• InspirationValue:• Honesty• CompassionLearning Context:• Cooperative

learning• Application

of personal experiences

Learning Content:• Self-

awareness and improvement

• Open communication

• Personal stories

GREENSLike to have:• Challenge• Autonomy• Opportunities

to ask questions

Value:• Logic• Knowledge• TechnologyLearning Context:• Independent

work• Problem-

solving and exploration

• Intellectual debate and discussion

Learning Content:• Ideas and

concepts• experimentati

on

SCHOOL GRADES BY PRIMARY COLORSCompiled by Cliff Gillies, 1999, based on True Colors Research

A’s 11Greens 9 Blues 4 Golds 0 Orange

B’s 23 Golds 5 Blues 4 Greens 1 Orange

C’s 18 Oranges 6 Golds 1 Blue 0 Green

D/F’s 15 Oranges 2 Golds 1 Green 0 Blues

GRADE DISTRIBUTION GIVEN 100 STUDENTS

AT RISK STUDENT POPULATION

BLUE 12%

GOLD 8%

GREEN 12%

ORANGE 68%

A WASHINGTON STATE MIDDLE SCHOOL – AT RISK CLASS

Sources: March 1999 report to a Washington State middle school. A compilation by Cliff Gillies and Ann Kashiwa

WHAT IMPACT CAN WE HAVE ON STUDENT LEARNING

By adopting a vision and changing our approach?

CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE

ON WHAT IT MEANS TO TEACH AND LEARN

ENABLE STUDENTS

TO LOOK BEYOND AND BETWEEN

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES.

ALIGN THE CURRICULUM

INTENTIONALLY CONNECT LITERATURE TO ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT.

FOSTER 21ST CENTURY SKILLS through incorporating problem and project based learning.

“ENGAGE AND CHALLENGE DIGITAL AGE STUDENTS AND BE RELEVANT IN

THEIR LIVES.” –The Metamorphosis Project

EXPERIENCE

CURRICULUM BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE

CLASSROOM

AMERICAN STUDIES

CROSS-CURRICULAR

TECHNOLOGY

PROBLEM AND

PROJECT BASED

WHY CROSS CURRICULAR LEARNING?

“Our primary schools also show that high standards are best

secured when essential knowledge and skills are learned both

through direct, high-quality subject teaching and also through

this content being applied and used in cross-curricular studies.”

(Rose, 2009: 2)

Research Based Enhances Critical Thinking Enables students to look beyond

and between academic disciplines To understand that all areas of

study and, therefore, life are CONNECTED.

More in-depth and meaningful experiences that make lasting impressions.

WHY PROBLEM BASED AND PROJECT BASED LEARNING?

Click icon to add pictureOPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPREUERIALISM AND INIATIVE C

HOICE

COLLABORATION BECOMES GENUINE

AND MUTALLY BENEFICIAL

TECHNOLOGY

COMMUNICATION MORE EFFICIENT, MORE FREQUENT

AND MORE EFFECTIVE.

RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION MORE IN-DEPTH AND INDEPENDENT

Standards Based Grading

Critical Analysis Contextual Comprehension Research and Inquiry Speaking and Listening Reading Comprehension Writing (Argument, Support and Details/Organization, Style,

Voice) Formative Work

*Grammar Use*MLA Formatting*Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

THE IMPACT ON STUDENT LEARNING?

OWNERSHIP OF LEARNING

TESTIMONIALS

“YOU ENCOURAGED US TO THINK FOR OURSELVES, TRY NEW THINGS, TO BE CREATIVE, TO STEP OUT OF OUR COMFROT ZONES AND SHARE OUR OPINIONS.”

“THIS SORT OF

COLLABORATIV

E, INTERACTIVE

TEACHING…

PUTS THE

LUSTER BACK

INTO

LEARING.”

“I LEARNED TO NOT JUST BE A STUDENT, BUT A THINKER AND CONTRIBUTOR.”

“IT OFFERED ME A CURRICULUM THAT RECONGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF ACKNOWLEDGING BOTH SUBJECTS,

AND OFFERED SKILLS THAT WILL BENEFIT ME IN THE FUTURE.”

“GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. WE WERE TAUGHT NOT ONLY BY OUR TEACHERS, BUT ALSO BY OUR CLASSMATES.”

“…IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE MOST

ENGAGING COURSE I’VE

EVER TAKEN.”

CROSS CURRICULAR AND PROBLEM/PROJECT BASED LEARNING IN ACTION THE CRUCIBLE AND THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

HOW CAN YOU

INCORPORATE

CROSS-

CURRICULAR AND

PROBLEM BASED

LEARNING INTO

YOUR

CLASSROOM?