Suppose a unit focuses on people of different countries and cultures. This can be a valuable, standards-based unit. Here is where integrated curriculum holds the key. Practical skills and knowledge can be connected to or infused into any activity at any time. In this way a unit on the European countries can also encompass communication, thinking and interpersonal skills in addition to the academic content.
Families can also reinforce essential concepts while running errands or reading a bedtime story.
During our conversation, this mother and I also discussed the importance of students reviewing what they have previously learned. Making connections between current learning and past concepts, known as spiraling, is an essential part of standards-based education. This means that 12th grade benchmarks in any area, communication for example, build on the benchmarks from 8th grade. These grow from 5th grade benchmarks which are based on foundational skills and knowledge by 2nd grade. For spiraling to be effective, students need opportunities to apply skills and knowledge again and again.