Integrated Studies

Discover innovations and best practices for combining multiple academic subjects to prepare students for a world where all knowledge is integrated.

Overview

What Is Integrated Studies?

Integrated studies combines curriculum from two or more disciplines, allowing students to see how ideas are connected. Teaching in such a contextual manner promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and knowledge retention. Watch an introduction video.

History

Integrated Studies: A Short History

Venerable educators from John Dewey to Howard Gardner have extolled the virtues of studying subjects in a holistic, contextual way rather than in a vacuum. Learn more.

Experts

What the Experts Say

Great things can happen when teachers break out of their silos and collaborate across subjects. Here's what researchers, educators, and curriculum writers have to say about the benefits of integrated studies. See what the experts say.

Why

Why Should Schools Embrace Integrated Studies?

To increase engagement and retention, academic subjects are presented in an interdisciplinary fashion that reflects modern knowledge and society. For instance, history, literature, and art can be interwoven and taught through text, images, and sound. See why.

Research

Research: The Effectiveness of Integrated Studies

Discover seven key approaches in effective curriculum integration, get our specific recommendations on evidence-based practices and programs, and learn about pitfalls to avoid. Dig deeper.

DiscussExpand

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Sparking Curiosity and Solving Real-World Problems

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Birmingham Covington: Building a Student-Centered School

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WatchExpand

Integrated Studies Videos See More Videos

Young students are working at tables in a large multipurpose room with large colorful-shaped decorations hanging from the ceiling.

Article

Birmingham Covington: Building a Student-Centered School

Educators take on the role of guides and motivate students to direct their own learning.

42 10,169 26,646 views

Article

Sparking Curiosity and Solving Real-World Problems

See how students apply their literacy skills to explore science problems outside classroom walls.

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A student works at a desk in front of a whiteboard covered with equations.

Article

Computational Thinking Across the Curriculum

Four of the skills used to solve computer science problems can be applied in other classes as well.

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Arts Integration: Resource Roundup

All points of arts integration -- from benefits and implementation to linking the arts with core curriculum -- are covered in this roundup of useful Edutopia blog posts, articles, and videos.

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A young boy in a yellow rain coat is smiling with his eyes closed, and rain is pouring down on him.

Article

Rainstorms and Symphonies: Performing Arts Bring Abstract Concepts to Life

When early elementary teachers integrate music and theater, student learning improves in reading, math, and science as they become better critical thinkers and problem solvers.

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photo of students at a table with bowls on top of it

Article

How to Infuse the Arts Into Core Curriculum (and Why It Matters)

Successful arts integration includes approaching your Curriculum like an artist, a rich process for a rich product, cultivating artist-researchers, and combining content with art.

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PBL and Arts: Empowering Students to Craft Beautiful Work

Schools That Work

Arts-Infused Project-Based Learning: Crafting Beautiful Work

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Pages

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Core Strategies for Innovation and Reform in Learning

See an overview of Edutopia's core strategies, including project-based learning, social-emotional learning, comprehensive assessment, technology integration, integrated studies and teacher development.

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STEM to STEAM: Resources Toolkit

Whether you are looking for resources on integrating science, technology, engineering, and math or on infusing the arts to transform STEM into STEAM, these curated compilations will help you plan different approaches to integrated studies.

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Why Should Schools Embrace Integrated Studies?: It Fosters a Way of Learning that Mimics Real Life

Integrated studies allows students to gain knowledge in a truly interdisciplinary fashion.

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