Planning with Subject Integration

Plans with integration are similar to the earlier planning sequence. However, each additional subject adds a degree of complexity. For example, if a planning framework for science has 16 categories and a reading framework has 20, then integrating them would require consideration of 36 categories. As more subjects are added the number of categories becomes larger and planning becomes more complex.

However, the benefits for doing so are great. The amount of student learning increases, connecting different learnings causes greater understanding, longer remembering, and are closer to real life experiences.

Outline for Subject Integration

1. Create a framework with integration categories. This is very time consuming and can be philosophical. However, this preplanning time is essential to identify what is important for students to know, how it should be organized, and how they should know it. Integration can be by subject or other categories related to real life or based on a school's mission. See sample subject integration framework.

2. Brainstorm possible topics or themes. This could be students or teachers.Topics may be a focused or broad based:

3. Select one or a combination of a topic or theme.

4. Brainstorm ideas ideas related to the topic.

5. Take each idea and categorize them in an integration framework. Add new ideas as they are developed.

6. Additional ideas may be added by thinking about each of the following areas for each category. Associations for the categories may also be made by reviewing the Real Life categories.

7. A map or web can be created to decide what will be included and the scope and sequence for that information. This web or map can be quite complicated, like life.

8. As sequence plans become more complicated they begin to require more explanation. This can be accomplished by creating an overall outline or framework that could be used for any sequence. See sample framework

Robert Sweetland's Notes ©