Integrated classes make learning fun

By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Eighth-graders at St. Catherine of Siena School in Albany were recently immersed in the study of legends.

This immersion included reading legends in their literature class, researching their family histories in social studies, creating a family coat of arms in art class, studying the legend of St. Patrick in religion class, and compiling the data in computer class.

Educators call projects like this integrated curriculum. Students have another word for it: fun.

Getting together

"This was a lot of fun," said student Kathleen Colligan. "It was a good opportunity to put our talents together. I think it's a good idea to work together in all of the classes."

Classmate Timothy Tyrell agreed. "I think it enhanced the learning process," he said. "It brought what you were learning in social [studies] into literature and then you could draw it in art class."

While the students view integrated curriculum projects as pleasurable, some educators say they are also a sound way to augment the learning process.

Joanne Millis, St. Catherine of Siena's art teacher and coordinator of this project, believes in integrated curriculum projects. "When you have 40-minute periods and the division of classes, it can make kids think, `Time's up, I can stop thinking about this,'" she said. "Integrating allows them to see the big picture."

Commitment

Projects like this one require a commitment on the part of the teachers involved, as well as a high level of communication among staff. The payoff, she said, is that background information is established for three classes allowing students more time to delve into the topic.

Even the students picked up on this. Kathleen said, "It was a lot easier because we already had the background for all of the classes."

In addition to Mrs. Millis, other St. Catherine of Siena teachers involved in the project included social studies teacher Mary-Lee Quinn, English literature teacher Jane Wingle, and computer teacher Theresa Denn.

One of many

Mrs. Millis is always on the lookout for integrated projects. "I go around begging," she said. Other integrated projects at St. Catherine of Siena include:

* A health, reading and art project in kindergarten. Students are read a descriptive poem then asked to create the figure using three different materials. The poem and the art serve as the basis for a health lesson on parts of the body.

* A science and art project in second grade. Students visit the planetarium as part of their science study of the planets. In art class, they are then asked to create a depiction of the universe.

* A social studies, literature, and art project in the fifth grade. In preparation for the students' trip to the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown, students study farming in New York State's past. In art class, they learn about foreground, middle ground and background by drawing a rural farm scene.

"The unique situation of an art teacher allows for this," Mrs. Millis said. "I love integration."

Kudos

Timothy encourages other teachers to get involved in integrated projects. He said, "Go for it. Try new things. It helps us to understand things better."

The project at St. Catherine of Siena was entered into a contest sponsored by the Fox Family Channel. If selected as a winner, the school will receive a $1,000 grant.

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