Being approached to work on a cross-curriculum project was certainly something that piqued my interest. In recent times, it seems education has veered away from cross-curriculum activities because of testing and pacing guides. This was an opportunity to work with peers that we just do not get to collaborate with much, so it was definitely worth hearing more about.

            When we met, the biggest challenge of finding a collaborative project was surprisingly easy. With four core teachers and Andy Leech’s engineering class, it was agreed that we could tie into a theme with alternative energy. The science and engineering part was simple, but the other three subjects would be a little more work. However, we knew there would be challenges, but everyone was willing to find answers to them. Here is a partial list of the obstacles:

·      How could we time it with disparate pacing guides?

·      How would math apply?

·      How much time could be devoted to it with the pressure of testing?

·      What would the final product be?

·      Could this work with different age groups?

·      Would the content be too challenging for a freshman class?

Everyone had a great attitude and we searched for solutions. For the social

studies piece, I teach Government and Recent History, so the most natural match was Government. While I have not yet settled on a path, it does align itself with the subject of interest groups or PACs.

            One of the issues mentioned above was timing. We wanted to do this project before Christmas even if we did not complete our part at the same time. However, we had agreed as a PLC that interest groups would be taught closer to Spring Break. Just as others in the group had to do, it was easy to see that all of us would have to compromise to make this work. Interest groups will now be taught before Christmas.

            The important thing with most of these questions should be, “What is best for the students?” We might be rushed to complete all of the usual content before Christmas, but if they get into the project then this will only enhance their learning for second semester. In the short-term, it will allow the students to do research – which is great – and to analyze the effect on interest groups on the political process. And they will be able to fully utilize technology with their laptops. We will just have to go a little faster before Christmas to make it work. That is a trade-off worth making.

            While there is a lot of work to be done, it is worth doing if we can replicate this next year with some tweaks. With the theme we have, it is a subject that is timely and the students should be excited about it. I am really looking forward to it even though I know there will be some snags. Just like the students, we have to learn from the mistakes to make things better.      

Brian