Addressing Problems Associated with ScienceMath Integration

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Addressing Problems Associated with Science/Math
Integration

• By Michelle Vega

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What do I know about curriculum integration?
How can I learn more?
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Defining Integrated Curriculum

• Some Definition Clarification
• Intradisciplinary one discipline
• Interdisciplinary one discipline 1 or more
  others used to support connections made
  implicitly
• Integration more than one discipline equal
  attention to both connections made explicitly

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Defining Integrated Curriculum

• Some Definition Clarification
• 5 types of integration
• Discipline specific
• Content specific
• Process
• Methodological
• Thematic

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Defining Integrated Curriculum

• Some Definition Clarification
• Categories specific to Math/Science
• Math for the sake of math
• Math for the sake of science
• Math and Science integrated
• Science for the sake of math
• Science for the sake of science

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Lack of Empirical Support and Models

• Very little research done
• Very few models available for interested teachers
• Very little administrative support

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Some solutions

• Come to agreement on definition and terms
• More studies!
• Make models and training available to teachers

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What materials do I use?
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Materials for an Integrated Curriculum

• New teachers know very little about IC materials
  available
• Solutions
• Companies should include cross-content
  performance indicators
• Information should be offered in education
  methods courses
• Resource companies should advertise more
• Professional organizations should offer
  in-services and demonstrations

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How do I justify an integrated curriculum to my
students parents?
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Justifying an IC

• Parents wont support what they dont understand
• Parental support needed in the classroom

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Solutions

• Get parents involved
• Beginning of year discussion
• Events throughout the year

• Have a back-map plan that documents skills
  learned
• Post standards in the classroom

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How do I learn to do this?
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Coping with inexperience

• 50 of teachers feel they have insufficient
  background for math/science integration
• Solutions
• Team teaching
• Pre-service teacher education courses
• University/elementary school partnerships

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Is an integrated curriculum really better?
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Argument against an integrated curriculum

• It takes too much time
• Students benefit from learning math and science
  separately
• Combining the two devalues them
• Combining two makes innovations harder
• ie the Genome database

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Issues addressed by an integrated curriculum

• Student involvement in curriculum
• Depth of learning
• Real-life relevance
• Time-saving tips
• Dont do two curriculums at once
• Use time before, after, during school, and
  vacations
• Consider subs, release days

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How do I assess in an integrative curriculum?
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Assessment

• Most state standards are set up by subject
• How can IC survive if its at odds with a
  standards-based assessment system?

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Solutions

• Use common learnings lists that cut across
  disciplines
• Ie by Schoolwide Goals for Student Learning
• Learning to learn
• Expanding and integrating knowledge
• Communication
• Thinking and reasoning
• Interpersonal
• Personal and social

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Solutions (cont)

• Teachers may consider alternative assessment
  methods
• Dual assessment
• Performance tests
• Projects
• Portfolios
• Student and parental feedback
• Journals
• Simulations

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Sources Brazee, E Capelluti, J. (1995).
Dissolving boundaries Toward an integrative
curriculum. Columbus, OH National Middle School
Association. Davison, D. Miller, K. (1995).
What does integration of science and mathematics
really mean? School Science and Mathematics,
95(5), 226-230. Gateman, T. (1998). How valid is
integrated curriculum in todays middle schools?
Middle School Journal, 29(4), 38-41. Huntley,
M.A. (1998). Design and implementation of a
framework for defining integrated mathematics and
science education. School Science and
Mathematics, 98(6), 320-327.
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Sources (cont) Lehman, J. (1994). Integrating
science and mathematics Perceptions of
preservice and practicing elementary teachers.
School Science and mathematics, 94(4),
212-215. Lewbel, S Haskins, A Spradling, N
Thompson, S. (1998) Practitioners respond.
Middle School Journal, 28(1), 21-23. Lounsbury,
J. (1996) Curriculum integration Problems and
prospects. Middle School Journal, 96, 3-4. Vars,
G., Beane, J. (2000). Integrative curriculum
in a standards-based world. ERIC Digest.