Integrated Curriculum Planning   Integration - based on a philosophical idea that goes beyond teaching subjects or teaching subjects around a theme.

The following information provides samples of curriculum documents for a school based on this philsophical idea. Additionally examples are provided to show one example of how planning units fo study might be designed.

Sample Integrated curriculum documents:

Assumptions for an Integrated Curriculum
Comparison of Integration Orientation to Subject Orientation
Benefits or Outcomes of an Integrated Curriculum
Mission Statement for a School with an Integrated Curriculum
Goals for a School with an Integrated Curriculum

Planning
For an integrated curriculum there must be a move from a subject integration to something else. Which means another orientation must be identified to group contextual ideas.

Moving from subject integration requires areas other than subject. One idea is to define contextual areas and use those in a framework to generate focus questions for each contextual area of study.

Four Sample Contextual Ideas, one with subcategories
Framework with only four contextual areas
Framework with four Contextual Areas and Focus Questions

While this ties the contextual areas to what students study it does not tie the contextual areas to the School's curricular goals. To do this the goals can be added to framework in the form of a matrix to link contextual areas and curriculum goals by writing a focus question for desired pairs. Planning Matrix with Contextual Areas and Goals

With the contexts and goals known an investigation can be identified by selecting a focus question. Samples are: Sample Focus Questions

Once a focus question is selected it can be put onto the matrix and more specific questions can be brainstormed that fit the focus question, a contextual area, and a curricular goal. For example if the focus question, What are the benefits of water on Earth? was selected then specific questions for the contextual areas could be generated: Planning Matrix with Focus Question and Contextual Area focus questions selected to match the school district Goals.

As you can see traditional subject areas are not listed. Does this planning framework fit this school's mission?