Chapter 8
Curriculum Integration in the
Classroom
Chapter objectives
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Describe the benefits of integrated
curriculum.
Describe the role movement plays in
learning.
Design an integrated unit around a
theme.
Locate games and resources to
incorporate movement into classroom.
Research Indicates How We
Remember Best (Fauth 1990)

People retain:
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10 percent
20 percent
30 percent
50 percent
time
70 percent
90 percent
of
of
of
of
what
what
what
what
they
they
they
they
read
hear
see
hear and say at the same
of what they hear, see, and say
of what they hear, see, say, and do
Integrated and
Interdisciplinary
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The terms integrated and interdisciplinary are
often used interchangeably.
Interdisciplinary is defined as “an educational
process in which two or more subject areas
are integrated with the goal of fostering
enhanced learning in each subject area”
(Cone et al., 1998).
Curriculum Integration Occurs In
Two Ways


Movement is included in the classroom
curriculum
Academic subjects (classroom
curriculum) are included in the physical
education curriculum
Choosing Literature

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Choose literature
that does not
contain cultural and
gender stereotypes.
Choose a variety of
literature pieces that
represent all the
cultures in your
classroom.


Ask students to bring
special books to share
that represent their
culture.
Encourage students
with disabilities to share
books about their
disability and lead the
class in a movement
activity.
Students Benefit from Integrating
Movement
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Movement improves circulation.
Movement increases the oxygen supply
to the brain.
Movement regulates children’s moods.
Movement encourages the body’s
natural motivators.
Movement reduces the amount of time
spent sitting.
Students Benefit from Integrating
Movement

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Movement
Movement
Movement
Movement
Movement
discourages passive learning.
“pins down” thought.
anchors thought.
generates interest.
maintains a mind-body state.
Brain Gym
(Dennison & Dennison, 1989)

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Activities that stimulate the mind and
body to prepare a child to learn.
Brain Gym is categorized into three
sections: (1) midline movements, (2)
lengthening activities, and (3) energy
exercises and deepening attitudes.
Brain Gym: Midline
Movements
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Midline movements are movements that help
stimulate both hemispheres of the brain at
the same time.
A movement on the right side of the body
activates the left side of the brain, whereas a
movement on the left side of the body
activates the right side of the brain.
Movements that use both sides of the body
and cross the center midline help increase
gross motor and find motor coordination.
Cross Crawls
Brain Gym:
Lengthening Activities
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Lengthening activities help students to develop and
reinforce those neural pathways that enable them to
make connections between what they already know
in the back of the brain and the ability to express and
process that information in the front of the brain.
Lengthening activities actually lengthen the muscles
in the neck and shoulders, helping the muscles relax
after long periods of sitting, reading, or close visual
work.
The Owl
Brain Gym: Energy Exercises and
Postures for Deepening Attitudes
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Helps re-establish neural connections between
body and brain, thus facilitating the flow of
electromagnetic energy through the body.
These activities support electrical and chemical
changes that occur during all mental and
physical events.
Hook-Ups
Designing Theme Units in Subject
Areas

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A theme can provide a means for
integration between subjects.
Integration activities are conducive to
teaching through the multiple
intelligences.
Integrating Themes: Olympics
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Olympic
Olympic
Olympic
Studies
Olympic
Arts
Olympic
Math
History
Social
Language
Science
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Olympic Sign
Language
Olympic Foreign
Language
Olympic Art
Olympic
Music/Drama
Olympic Physical
Education