THE POWER OF CROSS-CURRICULAR
AND PROBLEM BASED LEARNING.
HOLLY MARTIN AND KATIE RAY
INTRODUCTIONS
KATIE RAY, ENGLISH TEACHER
HOLLY MARTIN, HISTORY TEACHER
THE JOURNEY
OUR STORY….
UNDERSTANDING OUR STUDENTS – TRUE COLORS
ORANGES
Like to have:
• Freedom
• Variety
• Action and
activity
Value:
• Adventure
• Fun and play
Learning Context:
• Hands –on
• Freedom
• Varieties of
opportunities to
demonstrate
learning
Learning Content:
• Useful and
applicable skills
• Role playing
GOLDS
Like to have:
• Stability
• Organization
• Consistency
Value:
• Dependability
• Perfection
Learning Context:
• Independent
work
• Traditional
assignments
• Rewards
Learning Content:
• Detailed and
realistic
presentation of
facts
• Specific
instructions
BLUES
Like to have:
• Empathy
• Harmony
• Inspiration
Value:
• Honesty
• Compassion
Learning Context:
• Cooperative
learning
• Application of
personal
experiences
Learning Content:
• Self-awareness
and
improvement
• Open
communication
• Personal stories
GREENS
Like to have:
• Challenge
• Autonomy
• Opportunities to
ask questions
Value:
• Logic
• Knowledge
• Technology
Learning Context:
• Independent work
• Problem-solving
and exploration
• Intellectual
debate and
discussion
Learning Content:
• Ideas and
concepts
• experimentation
SCHOOL GRADES BY PRIMARY COLORS
Compiled by Cliff Gillies, 1999, based on True Colors Research
GRADE DISTRIBUTION GIVEN 100 STUDENTS
A’s
11Greens
9 Blues
4 Golds
0 Orange
B’s
23 Golds
5 Blues
4 Greens
1 Orange
C’s
18 Oranges 6 Golds
1 Blue
0 Green
1 Green
0 Blues
D/F’s 15 Oranges 2 Golds
AT RISK STUDENT POPULATION
BLUE
12%
GOLD
8%
GREEN
12%
ORANGE
68%
A WASHINGTON
STATE MIDDLE
SCHOOL – AT
RISK CLASS
Sources: March 1999 report to a
Washington State middle school. A
compilation by Cliff Gillies and Ann
Kashiwa
WHAT IMPACT CAN WE HAVE
ON STUDENT LEARNING
By adopting a vision and changing our approach?
ON WHAT IT MEANS TO TEACH AND LEARN
ENABLE STUDENTS
TO LOOK BEYOND
AND BETWEEN
ACADEMIC
DISCIPLINES.
ALIGN THE CURRICULUM
INTENTIONALLY
CONNECT
LITERATURE TO
ITS HISTORICAL
CONTEXT.
FOSTER 21ST CENTURY SKILLS
through incorporating problem and project based learning.
“ENGAGE AND CHALLENGE DIGITAL AGE STUDENTS
AND BE RELEVANT IN THEIR LIVES.”
–The Metamorphosis Project
CURRICULUM BEYOND THE
WALLS OF THE CLASSROOM
EXPERIENCE
AMERICAN STUDIES
CROSSCURRICULAR
PROBLEM AND
PROJECT
BASED
TECHNOLOGY
WHY CROSS CURRICULAR LEARNING?
“Our primary
schools also show
that high standards
are best
secured when
essential knowledge
and skills are
learned both



through direct, highquality subject
teaching and also
through

this content being
applied and used in
cross-curricular
studies.”

(Rose, 2009: 2)
Research Based
Enhances Critical Thinking
Enables students to look beyond and
between academic disciplines
To understand that all areas of study
and, therefore, life are CONNECTED.
More in-depth and meaningful
experiences that make lasting
impressions.
C
H
O
I
C
E
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ENTREPREUERIALISM AND
INIATIVE
COLLABORATION BECOMES
GENUINE AND MUTALLY
BENEFICIAL
WHY PROBLEM BASED AND PROJECT BASED
LEARNING?
TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION
MORE IN-DEPTH AND INDEPENDENT
COMMUNICATION MORE EFFICIENT,
MORE FREQUENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE.
Standards Based Grading







Critical Analysis
Contextual Comprehension
Research and Inquiry
Speaking and Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing (Argument, Support and Details/Organization, Style, Voice)
Formative Work
*Grammar Use
*MLA Formatting
*Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
THE IMPACT ON STUDENT
LEARNING?
OWNERSHIP OF LEARNING
TESTIMONIALS
“YOU ENCOURAGED US TO
THINK FOR OURSELVES, TRY
NEW
THINGS,
TO
BE
CREATIVE, TO STEP OUT OF
OUR COMFROT ZONES AND
SHARE OUR OPINIONS.”
“I LEARNED TO
NOT JUST BE A
STUDENT, BUT A
THINKER AND
CONTRIBUTOR.”
“IT OFFERED ME A CURRICULUM THAT
RECONGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF
ACKNOWLEDGING BOTH SUBJECTS, AND OFFERED
SKILLS THAT WILL BENEFIT ME IN THE FUTURE.”
“GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPERIENCE A NEW LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT. WE WERE TAUGHT
NOT ONLY BY OUR TEACHERS, BUT
ALSO BY OUR CLASSMATES.”
“…IT TURNED OUT
TO BE THE MOST
ENGAGING
COURSE I’VE EVER
TAKEN.”
CROSS CURRICULAR AND
PROBLEM/PROJECT BASED
LEARNING IN ACTION
THE CRUCIBLE AND THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS