Briefly reviews the development of core curricula and interdisciplinary teaming in junior high/middle schools from the mid-1950s to the present. A recent study of 15,000 Maine eighth graders shows that schools using the middle-school, interdisciplinary approach outscored their junior high school peers enrolled in single-discipline subjects by 58…

Describes a high school art teacher's efforts to involve the school staff in cross-curricular instruction. After discussing how the teacher initiated the project, the article examines her research, and how she created and implemented a cross-curricular lesson plan. The appendix provides a sample lesson plan. (SM)

Four elementary teachers describe how they support an interdisciplinary curriculum using integrated units. One builds tall towers of spaghetti. Another touches on all subjects using baseball card games. The third turns the playground into an archeological dig. The last sails the ocean along with the Pilgrims. (SM)

A group of 30 Nevada teachers participated in a summer institute to explore reservoirs and tributaries of the Truckee River. These river studies increased teachers' awareness of water as the life source supporting numerous living creatures and social, cultural, and political issues. Using their newfound cultural and ecological perspectives to…

Discusses the challenges of teaching English at two-year colleges, devising new methods of teaching composition and literature to reluctant writers and readers. Suggests that much of the important intellectual work from two-year colleges has been produced in the form of textbooks, and is also shown in curriculum development, interdisciplinary…

A survey of 142 U.S. and Canadian medical schools compared medical school curricula since 1991, especially in schools moving to the new interdisciplinary format. Thirty- five schools had retained preventive medicine teaching as a separate course; 25 schools integrated preventive medicine concepts into many courses; and 10 schools appeared to have…

Reports on controversy surrounding Portland (Oregon) State University's nationally renowned, interdisciplinary general education program. Critics feel the four-year curriculum, which focuses on learning processes rather than content, has resulted in a watered-down curriculum that doesn't teach enough writing, math, literature, science, art, and…

Discusses the implications of the Kellogg Commission's "Report on Curriculum". Presents an historical perspective of the engagement of institutions in curriculum development. Discusses the major changes promoted by the Kellogg Commission and evaluates environmental studies programs. Describes a prototype program by the Institute for Conversation…

Describes the physical education curriculum for gifted students at the Center for Creative Learning (Missouri). Emphasis is on integration of "body and brain" learning activities in an interdisciplinary thematic format. Examples of the authentic skills emphasized in the kinesthetic curriculum are offered as are ideas for coordination…

Discusses intellectual, practical, and accountability problems of the integrated curriculum model. Notes the need for improving basic classroom instruction before reform. Argues for the potential of the basic theory of curriculum integration. (JPB)

Describes how a first-grade bilingual program in Tucson, Arizona became class pen pals throughout the year with inner-city second graders from Toledo, Ohio. Notes that this would prove beneficial for lessons in reading and writing and would promote their knowledge about their city and state. Discusses how it expanded into cross-curricular lessons…

Examined how high school teachers made meaning of a change process involving teamwork, interdisciplinary teaching, and block scheduling. Document analysis, observation, and interview data indicated that uncertainty and doubt were the pervading themes and had a critical effect on the teaching team's ability to move to interdisciplinary teaching.…

The new Interdisciplinary Unified Curriculum Framework (2001), as declared by its name, is based on the 1997 Unified Curriculum Framework, but a new stress is placed on interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning. The general aim of education remains unaltered. However, it is heavily emphasized that, in this new curriculum, the growth of…

The primary goal of education is to help students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to solve the problems that occur in real-life situations. One of the most touted methods for achieving this goal is through curriculum integration. Physical education students can benefit from an integrated curriculum. NASPE's (National Association tar Sport…

The pathway for achieving sustainability outcomes in environmental education is littered with difficulty. The experience in this particular case study provides insight into the difficulties of sustainability education and the need for effective formal and informal delivery at various places in the society. Schools and universities are key…