Cross-Curricular Connections To Literature Narrated Presentation
Reading and writing skills are essential in all content areas. Whether students are interacting with expository texts or texts from various literary genres, they need to be able to view text critically and gain meaning from it. Using cross-curriculum planning, you can select books and readings that support what is being taught in other content areas while still reinforcing essential reading and writing skills.
Imagine your principal has asked you to create a short professional development session that can be shared with other teachers in your building. The goal of the session is to provide a high-level overview of the benefits of cross-content curriculum planning and using literature to support key concepts and ideas being taught in other subject areas.
Using the topic Resources and your own research, create an 8-10 slide PowerPoint presentation for a professional development session designed for K-12 teachers.
Explain the importance, value, and benefits of cross-curricular planning and the use of literature to support the learning outcomes being taught in other content areas in each grade range (K-3 and 4-8).
Summarize how to best utilize cross-curricular planning in each grade range (K-3 and 4-8), including discussion of the unique processes that can be used in planning and the challenges one might face when planning for each grade range.
Explain how using literature to make cross-curricular content connections aligns to the reading content area standards.
Describe how using literature to make cross-curricular content connections can support differentiated instruction and help to meet the needs of diverse students. Provide specific examples to illustrate your ideas.
Provide an example of a cross-curricular lesson or activity for each grade range (K-3 and 4-8) so teachers understand how connections can be made between concepts and skills. Include discussion of both literature and expository text selections.
Sample Solution
Slide 1: Title slide
- Title: The Benefits of Cross-Curricular Planning and the Use of Literature
- Subtitle: A Professional Development Session for K-12 Teachers
Slide 2: Introduction
- What is cross-curricular planning?
- A teaching approach that integrates two or more subject areas to create a more meaningful and engaging learning experience for students.
Full Answer Section
- Why is cross-curricular planning important?
- Helps students to see the connections between different subjects.
- Makes learning more relevant and interesting.
- Promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- How can literature be used to support cross-curricular planning?
- Books can provide a rich context for learning about different subjects.
- They can help students to develop their imagination and creativity.
- They can encourage students to think critically about the world around them.
Slide 3: Benefits of cross-curricular planning for K-3 students
- Improved reading comprehension: When students learn about different subjects through literature, they are better able to understand and remember what they read.
- Enhanced vocabulary: Exposure to a variety of words and concepts through literature helps students to build their vocabulary.
- Stronger writing skills: Students who write about what they learn from literature develop stronger writing skills.
- Increased creativity: Literature can spark students' imaginations and creativity, leading to new ideas and solutions.
- Improved problem-solving skills: When students read about characters who face problems, they learn how to think critically and solve problems themselves.
Slide 4: Benefits of cross-curricular planning for 4-8 students
- Deeper understanding of content: Cross-curricular planning helps students to develop a deeper understanding of the content they are learning.
- Improved critical thinking skills: When students are asked to make connections between different subjects, they develop their critical thinking skills.
- Increased motivation to learn: When students see the relevance of what they are learning, they are more motivated to learn.
- Enhanced collaboration skills: Cross-curricular projects require students to collaborate with each other, which helps them to develop their collaboration skills.
- Greater appreciation for different cultures: Literature can help students to learn about different cultures and perspectives, which leads to greater appreciation for diversity.
Slide 5: Examples of cross-curricular planning
- In science, students can read a book about the solar system and then create a model of the solar system.
- In social studies, students can read a book about a historical event and then create a timeline of the event.
- In math, students can read a book about a problem-solving strategy and then apply the strategy to a real-world problem.
- In language arts, students can read a book about a character who is facing a challenge and then write a story about how the character solves the challenge.
- In art, students can read a book about a famous artist and then create a work of art inspired by the artist's work.
Slide 6: Resources for cross-curricular planning
- The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): NCTE provides resources for teachers on cross-curricular planning, including lesson plans, articles, and professional development opportunities.
- The International Reading Association (IRA): IRA also provides resources for teachers on cross-curricular planning, including lesson plans, articles, and professional development opportunities.
- The Center for the Study of Reading: The Center for the Study of Reading is a research center that provides information on the teaching of reading, including cross-curricular planning.
- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): NAEYC provides resources for teachers of young children on cross-curricular planning, including lesson plans, articles, and professional development opportunities.
- The Common Core State Standards: The Common Core State Standards provide a framework for cross-curricular planning, as they identify the essential skills and knowledge that students should learn in each grade level.
Slide 7: Conclusion
- Cross-curricular planning is a valuable tool for teachers who want to create a more meaningful and engaging learning experience for their students.
- The use of literature can be a powerful way to support cross-curricular planning.
- There are many resources available to help teachers with cross-curricular planning.