Recently we concluded the curriculum module on the FDLT year 2 course. During this module we had explored the teaching of discrete subjects; making connections between subjects and the aspects of the curriculum that are not named as subjects. In the last session we brought all that together in a practical activity where students made a response to the anniversary of World War One contained in a matchbox. Here are the results:
This video was made with the app ‘Explain Everything’ with music added by editing within You Tube.
The students were introduced to some of the stories and themes using this ThingLink:
The research activity followed by the making activity allowed students to consider the links between subjects and the skills, knowledge and understanding that allow us to make connections between subjects because pupils use and apply them in a range of situations.
As I observed the students, for example, I could see a range of strategies used to measure ranging from using a ruler, drawing around the object, estimating and making a trial to check. Had I been their maths teacher I would have had an insight into their skills, knowledge and understanding in action could have planned any necessary revision into future teaching.
During this activity students identified a very wide range of learning opportunities including:
- research – reading non-fiction, following up stories and sources such as audio and video reports, music and poetry, evaluating, selecting and discarding information
- making – measuring, designing, cutting, sticking, choice of materials, working in 2d and 3d,
- responding – empathy with people in challenging situations, making connections with the past, thinking about how events in the past resonate now, creativity, the meaning of symbols,
- language development – new vocabulary from the period, poetic language, song lyrics, factual language, the language of propaganda, narrative,
and many more…
