Integrating Learning Areas and Domains
It is quite easy to integrate the domains with the learning areas to ensure that learning is developmental whilst also covering the relevant learning areas of your jurisdiction's curriculum. For example:
Physical = Arts, Physical and Health Education, Technology
Creative = Arts, English, Technology
Language = All of the Learning Areas but focusing particularly on English and LOTE
Social and Emotional = Society and Environment, Physical and Health Education, English
Cognitive = Science, Technology, Mathematics
Program Planning in 6 Easy Steps
1 Decide on skills to be developed in the domains and integrate these with Learning Areas 2 Consider children's interests 3 Design lessons and activities that will achieve development of the skills you wish to introduce 4 Outline objectives for each lesson 5 Plan resources and equipment needed for each lesson 6 Plan assessment and evaluation methods
Make your planning relevant and choose topics with some real interest and merit to them. I have never really understood the merit in doing whole themes on "Apples" or "Scarecrows". I understand these are fun themes for fall but really, is there any useful learning that comes from doing a theme on scarecrows? Rather than focusing too narrowly on themes such as these, think of a broader theme that these types of topics can be integrated into such as "Fall/Autumn". I can't imagine teaching a weeks worth of activities about apples but it seems to be a very common theme out there! So try to be creative!
If you plan in themes, make it relevant. I remember seeing an email in an online group from a teacher in North America who wanted ideas for teaching lessons about "Ice" in the middle of spring. Considering that in many places in North America, there is bound to be some snow and ice in WINTER it would seem to be a lot more relevant to do it then!
I also know of a teacher who planned to do activities on plants in fall. Again, this seems to be a ridiculous time to do this considering plants are beginning to die at this point. Why not save this theme till spring when the budding of trees and plants can be observed, as can the opening of leaves, development of shoots, the observation of insects involved in pollination etc. Make use of the resources around you and get outdoors if you can to do as much field study as possible. I have enough clipboards, magnifying glasses etc for each student to allow us to take learning outdoors to learn as well. If you don't have the materials you need, place a WISH LIST outside your classroom door, or in your parent mailboxes to ask for parent donations. Parents are very generous (and have amazing contacts) in helping you get the supplies you need to make learning HANDS ON and INTERACTIVE. |