Integrating

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Integrating
By Elaine

DG in DC,

Interesting! I just posted a similar reply on the Intermediate board in response to a question about a self contained classroo. Here are a couple of ideas for you.

1. When you plan a new unit in social
studies try to think of picture books (fiction or nonfiction) or historical fiction books that are related to the objectives you need to cover. For example, when teaching about the Civil War, I am planning to use a The Perilous Road (historical fiction) during our reading block. As we read it, I can teach and my students can practice necessary reading strategies. Writing assignments

can be related to the Civil War as well -- writing a journal entry from the point of view of a confederate or union soldier; writing a persuasive letter to a newspaper expressing opinions about the war; poetry expressing emotions about the war; doing a research report on a related topic.

2. Use nonfiction articles and trade books to teach science objectives. For example, I use a beautiful picture book when I teach about animal instincts/learned behaviors; adaptions; life cycle; etc. (I'm sorry I don't have the book with me, so I can't remember the title, I can give you the title as soon as I go to my classroom if you are interested.) Using a book like this gives you an opportunity to cover science objectives and also teach the strategies that are unique to reading nonfiction materials.

I hope this gives you some idea of how integrating could work for you. Good luck.
Elaine