Cross Curricular Connect
Cross-curricular connect involves establishing patterns of information
between different academic subjects.
It offers a creativity of developing knowledge,
understanding and practical skills through a study of inter-connected topics
and subjects.
A common way of expanding knowledge on a specific
subject is to study the history of that topic and apply that learning to other subjects.
Cross-curricular connect allows for more inter-connected lessons that
capture your students' imagination.
It also enables them to identify patterns of
information between subjects that will help to enforce key knowledge.
Good cross-curricular connect can involve a wide
variety of different subjects, but it more usually relies upon connections
between only a couple of key subjects.
Making sure the links between lessons are natural
and not forced is key to a successful cross-curricular connect strategy.
Cross Curricular Connect Example 1
Topic: Congruence of Triangles and
Art-integrated Learning
Activity: Analysing a Truss Bridge
Have you seen a Truss Bridge?
You may not have heard this name. But,
chances are high that you would’ve seen this structure in a movie or a photo.
Some lucky students might have seen it in person too.
A Truss is a strong structure that is
formed by connected elements. Usually, they are formed using triangular units.
But, they can use other shapes as well. As bridges typically need a strong
superstructure to bear the load of people and vehicles that go on top of them,
Truss bridges are popular across the globe.
1. Search online for Truss Bridges and understand their typical structure
2. Locate a Truss Bridge which is
formed by connected triangular elements
3. Draw the Truss Bridge in your
notebook. Mark different triangles (at least two of them) in different colours
4. Measure and compare the triangles
to find out if they are congruent. If yes, in which way? (SSS/SAS etc.,)
5. Bonus points: Are there any other
real-life objects where you see congruent triangles being used?
Cross Curricular Connect Example 2
Topic: Perimeter and Area and Designing
Activity: A cover for the table
Mani’s house had a table that
needed a new cover. So, Mani and his father went to the local market to hire
the right person to make a designer table cover.
‘Wow, so many shops’, Mani
wondered aloud.
‘Yes Mani, I know many of these
shop owners and workers personally’, answered his father. ‘They are all
talented people and I am very proud to give them business. Tomorrow if you
become an entrepreneur and start a business, these people and their families
will support you. This is a good cycle. We all should support each other and
encourage local economic growth.’
Soon, Mani and his father entered the shop that make custom table covers and started discussing their requirement. Meanwhile, let us play the role of that local vendor and measure a table near us to prepare a suitable cover.
Steps:
1. Find a nearby rectangular or square-shaped table.
2. Use a measuring tape or a ruler to measure the length and
breadth of the table (if it is rectangular).
3. Use these measurements and calculate the perimeter and
area of the table.
4. Assume that the cost of the table cover cloth is Rs 2 per
square inch and the cost of the tape which is stuck around the sides of the
table cover is Rs 3 per inch. Using the calculations, you did earlier, find out
the total cost of this job.
5. Bonus points: Can the perimeter of a rectangular or square-shaped table be a prime number? Why not?
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