Teacher morale is higher because of continued contact with adults. Opportunities for leadership present themselves. Greater flexibility is provided for instruction. The correlation of subject matter through cooperative planning is improved. Student interest and motivation are increased.
Student achievement improves because of coordinated planning.
Curricular continuity is improved. An integrated curriculum allows teachers to draw the content of the unit from a combination of two other important areas. First, they tap into their knowledge of the characteristics and needs of young adolescents to be sure that the unit centers on important aspects of those attributes and needs. Ideally, the students themselves are drawn into the planning process at this point, to suggest the needs that they feel most strongly. Regardless of age, set a regular bedtime.