Integrating the curriculum should be a goal of every elementary school teacher. That means content areas like Science, Social Studies, and Religion can be taught in the context of reading, writing and math. In this article the focus will be on writing because in other articles in this series I spoke about creating a Writers Workshop, which can be used for the purpose of children developing their own ideas and also for assigned tasks related to the curriculuar areas.
With the Writers Workshop program teachers constantly have to teach brainstorming methods, model writing, and introduce new writing formats. The curriculular areas provide a rich
opportunity to teach these things.
For this example, and since my other article series provides lessons on implementing a unit of study on ecosystems, I will continue with a lesson that integrates writing with that unit of study. As part of a unit on ecosystems children should be given the chance to visit a nature preserve or environmental center. In the past, I have taken my children to study ponds, and part of their learning was distinguishing a new pond from an old pond. This provided a great foundation for having the children write a compare/contrast piece.
I set the stage by setting up a Venn Diagram, which is two intersecting circles, with "new pond" labeled on one side and "old pond" labeled on the other. Of course, the middle section is reserved for notes about how both types of ponds are alike. In whole group fashion I go around the room and ask the students to add to the Venn Diagram, making sure they specify which part of the Venn Diagram I should add the information to. Once we have several details added to the Venn Diagram I tell them I want them to write a first draft of a piece that illustrates four things that new ponds and old ponds share in common, and four things that make them different from each other. I tell them that I want an introduction to the piece, two middle paragraphs (comparing/contrasting), and a conclusion. I let them know that this is a project they can work on during Writers Workshop, at home, or during Science, if appropriate. Since this is a class assignment the teacher will either have to assign a deadline or come up with a deadline with the student's help.
Once the first drafts are done the teacher will provide assistance editing and revising like he would during any regular Writers Workshop session. The final product can be put on
display or saved as a portfolio piece.
Making writing relevant is an important job of the elementary teacher. A good way to make writing meaningful is by connecting it other areas of study. These opportunities to write are valuable and they likewise give children a chance to rethink what they have been actively studying.