Interdisciplinary Teaching
I am working on the history of the scientific revolution at the moment, specifically looking at the world-altering inventions and ideas from the period. If I worked through it, I'm sure I could incorporate history (politics) and math (geometry, calculus) into teaching about early science. But I found that learning about ellipses might be too advanced for 7th grade students to grasp. So I looked at my previous student-teaching experience for inspiration.
I am working on the history of the scientific revolution at the moment, specifically looking at the world-altering inventions and ideas from the period. If I worked through it, I'm sure I could incorporate history (politics) and math (geometry, calculus) into teaching about early science. But I found that learning about ellipses might be too advanced for 7th grade students to grasp. So I looked at my previous student-teaching experience for inspiration.
I am not a full-time teacher in a
classroom, I've decided to choose a topic that I could imagine
teaching today. I felt that I could could probably use English, Art
and Music to enrich teaching slavery in American, specifically before
the Civil War.
I felt that students could:
- read abolitionist poems to discuss the author and message delivered (English)
- examine photographs of slave children designed to be abolitionist propaganda (Art)
- listen to examples of music of slaves to supplement any reading about slave life and culture (Music)
I have considered that spending a
period on each of these lessons might take up a lot more time for
slavery than a teach has allotted. Theoretically, the class could work
on all of these simultaneously and report back at the end of the
period. It might not work though, each student might only truly learn
about their topic unless the other students report back in an
engaging way. If it does work, students can create a creative project
in the future using one of these subject areas to show their
understanding; write their own poem from a point-of-view, create
abolitionist propaganda or perform a song. I believe many students
are starving for self-expression today, especially in the classroom.
These projects could stimulate their interest in school.
-Kristina
P.S. I found this link to actual interview with slaves in 1930's , which I felt has value because of its uniqueness.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/narratives.html#
P.S. I found this link to actual interview with slaves in 1930's , which I felt has value because of its uniqueness.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/narratives.html#
Kristina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! I am a huge supporter of integrating history and art. I love your idea of having children look at pictures and songs from a particular period. I am an elementary teacher, so I plan to use your idea for teaching slavery through art and music for teaching 3rd graders about the California Indians. I would like to find art and music from that era. I feel that those two mediums will be very powerful in their understanding of what life was like for the California Indians.
Thanks for your thoughts and resources!
Kristina,
ReplyDeleteYour lesson seems very engaging; especially incorporating music, poetry, and art. Teachers are always rushed getting through our curriculum. However, time is always our worst enemy. So if you need to take 3 days to a week teaching this lesson... go for it. The learning and experience that the students will recieve will be so much more meaningful and worth it.
Dayana