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Blogs on Integrated Studies

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Flat Stanley Goes Mobile: Fresh Start for Popular Global Ed Project

Suzie BossNovember 15, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Global Education, Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades

The Flat Stanley Project, one of the world's longest-running global education and literacy projects, has launched a new chapter. There's a brand-new website with increased interactivity and even a mobile app to track the globe-trotting adventures of Stanley Lambchop and his flat friends.

How to Creatively Integrate Science and Math

Ben JohnsonNovember 11, 2011

Tags Integrated Studies, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Math, Science

Why is the sky blue? I remember in my physical science class, our teacher showed us a possible reason why the sky is blue. He took a canister of liquid oxygen and poured it out on the table. I saw the blueness of the liquid as it flowed out and then disappeared. Then we talked about color, frequencies, and absorption, reflected and radiated light. I wondered how scientist ever figured these things out? Duh -- math! How can you really teach science without math? It is impossible. Science is the application of math.

Persuasive Writing is a Key Focus in Common Core Standards

Heather Wolpert-GawronNovember 1, 2011

Tags Common Core Standards, Education Reform, Integrated Studies, Lesson Plans, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

I've been examining the Common Core Standards and the upcoming assessments lately in an attempt to tease apart this huge seismic shift that is about to go down. And while I think it will have its challenges, I have to admit that I like what I'm seeing. For one thing, they prioritize a more accurate alignment of school life versus real life, seeking to blur the lines more than ever.

Immersive PBL: Indiana Project Reaches Far Beyond the Classroom

Suzie BossOctober 21, 2011

Tags Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades

Veteran science teacher Michael Baer has always tried to connect what his students are learning in the classroom to the real world. But even 35 years in education didn't fully prepare him for the powerful learning that would unfold when he agreed to help his students figure out how they could get clean drinking water to the people of Haiti.

K-5 iPad Apps for Evaluating Evaluation: Part Five of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy

Diane DarrowSeptember 22, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Formative Assessment, Game-Based Learning, Integrated Studies, Performance Assessment, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), English Language Arts, Math, Science

The cognitive domain Evaluating focuses on skills necessary to judge the value of ideas, techniques, products, or solutions. Students must evaluate the credibility or functionality of given content with clearly defined criteria and standards.

K-5 iPad Apps for Analyzing: Part Four of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy

Diane DarrowSeptember 8, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Game-Based Learning, Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5)

When children look under the hood of a car, their perspective is one of pure curiosity. They immediately want to identify the parts, find out the location of major features, start to ask questions about how the various elements work together, and search to understand the organization of the car as a whole.

A New Model of Storytelling: Transmedia

Laura FlemingAugust 26, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Integrated Studies, Literacy, Media Literacy, Online Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

As a School Library Media Specialist, storytelling is at the core of what I do each and every day. Over the years, I have seen many children who struggle with reading because of a lack of engagement with traditional books and stories. The new media that surrounds educators and learners forced me to rethink the concept of storytelling for our 21st-century learners. After some experimenting within my classes, I found a way to successfully engage and capture the attention of all of my students. As a result of this, a new model of storytelling emerged for me: Transmedia.

K-5 iPad Apps for Applying: Part Three of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy

Diane DarrowAugust 24, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Game-Based Learning, Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), English Language Arts, Math, Science

Bloom's Revised Taxonomy breaks each learning stage (remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate and create) into four separate levels of knowledge. These levels include the factual, conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive. Together the levels of knowledge are making incremental movements from a factual understanding, to the personal command and realization of the learning process.

Integrating Art and Politics to Improve High School Student Engagement

Mariko NoboriJune 22, 2011

Tags Arts Education, Integrated Studies, Professional Development, Student Engagement, Team Teaching, Urban Schools, High (9-12), History, Visual Arts, Pennsylvania

Editor's Note: AP government teacher Dayna Laur and art teacher Katlyn Wolfgang collaborated to create a joint project between their classes. After Edutopia produced the video below, Dayna and Katlyn, who teach at Central York High School in York, Pennsylvania, shared their strategies for creating a successful integrated studies project. You can also find free resources and downloads from from Central York High School.

All You Can Learn: Differentiated Instruction Inspires Young Writers

Cal JoyMay 23, 2011

Tags Integrated Studies, Teacher Development, High (9-12), English Language Arts, California

Cal Joy is Edutopia's Director of Web Development and resident pancake breakfast maker extraordinaire. She spent a weekend in LA to attend the 826 reading, and had this to report.

Baking a book takes time. 826LA intern Neekta Khorsand has worked with Los Angeles student, Brian Young and his forty-three fellow student authors on location at Dorsey High for several months. Their delicious creation is From the Couch to the Kitchen: A Book to Indulge In. 826ers believe in meeting students where they are academically, providing one-on-one attention, and understanding students' individual learning histories. Differentiated instruction focuses on each student, getting the right ingredients needed to nurture their skills. Approaching all learners the same academically doesn't work. 826 writing programs focus on where students are in their learning process. Using individually prepared instruction, 826LA takes a custom approach connecting each student's skill level to an appropriate assignment.