During the Parent Practicum I attended back in March, we were given examples on how to apply the idea of Integration in teaching our kids. I can't think of a better way teach. It is a great tool to help the kids make the connections across all subjects. It also helps reinforce the theme and thus helps the information 'stick'. Basically, you pick a theme and tie that theme into all the subjects. So, I decided to do it once this school year. Since we will be learning about volcanoes for two weeks, I figured that would allow plenty of time to integrate all the subjects.
I created a graphic organizer to have a visual and help organize everything:
Geography - map the major volcanoes in Mexico since History for week 16 & 17 is Mesoamerica (Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs)
Literature - Hill of Fire by Thomas P. Lewis; Voyage to the Volcano by Judith Samper (Sequencing of Events)
Bible - There is only ONE God
Science -* Show 4 kinds of volcanoes and parts of a volcano using a classification chart
*Make a volcano outside
History - *Ancient Olmec mythology (Orizaba was an eagle spirit that formed Citlaltepetl [dormant volcano]. The Olmec believed that they were to hike and pray to the god at the volcano to prevent the god from getting upset and erupting in fury)
*Popocatepetl - Active volcano
*Hernan Cortes and Aztecs
*A little Belize History (since I'm from Belize)
Art - Aztec Art (Aztec volcanic vision)
Math/Logic - Geometry (triangles, cones)
