By Les Huysmans

As a parent, thinking back to your own school days, have you ever wondered why some of your most memorable learning experiences were the ones that combined more than one subject? Maybe you did a project organised by your science and art teachers, or maybe your language teacher explored history through literature, but in days gone by, most of us did not get many opportunities like this when we went to school. These days though, it is different. The approach is called cross-curricular teaching, and it has steadily been gaining popularity in the last decade.

What is cross-curricular teaching?

Cross-curricular teaching is an educational approach where students explore a single theme or topic from the viewpoint of different subjects, rather than in isolation. It can be done by one single teacher, but often it makes more sense as a collaboration among two or more teachers from different disciplines to design a project, or even a whole curriculum, which integrates concepts and skills from all those different subjects. Imagine, for example, instead of studying English using a text about volcanoes, students might explore the topic of volcanoes not only with the English teacher, but also the science teacher, the geography teacher and maybe even the art teacher. Each of these teachers would approach the topic from their particular standpoint, and instead of the students just improving their language skills, the students could find out where most volcanoes are around the world and why, how volcanoes work and see it in action through a science experiment, and also use the science experiment to create a work of art. The possibilities are endless.

What are its objectives?

The goal of cross-curricular teaching is to create a more meaningful and engaging learning experience for students. It helps students to develop a deeper understanding of all topics, by seeing the connections between them and applying skills from one subject area in another. In order to finish task or find solutions, students are encouraged to think critically, make connections, and approach problems from different perspectives.

Why is it worth the extra work for teachers?

Cross-curricular teaching helps students to make connections between different subjects and topics, which can enhance their understanding and retention of information. Through linking these areas of study, students can see how they are all related and how they matter to each other, which can help them to understand the wider context of a situation.

A second benefit is that cross-curricular teaching can initiate and develop transferable skills, like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are essential for success in the modern world and are highly valued by employers.

Cross-curricular teaching can also be more engaging and motivating for students, as it allows them to see the relevance of their learning in a wider context. Sometimes students cannot see why something could be relevant to their world. By bringing together different subjects, teachers can make their lessons more dynamic and interactive, which can help to maintain student interest and participation.

Finally, cross-curricular teaching can help to reduce the “siloed” approach to learning that can sometimes occur in schools. By encouraging collaboration and cooperation between different subject areas, schools can create a more integrated and holistic learning environment that better reflects the real world.

So?

By incorporating cross-curricular teaching into our classrooms, we can not only enhance our students’ academic skills but also prepare them for success in the real world, where critical thinking and problem-solving are essential. As a teacher, just like as a student, it is just fun to embrace the power of cross-curricular teaching!

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