Interdisciplinary Approaches

Consider ways to connect reading and writing across the curriculum.

Although not all students will be interested in math, science, and fish, consider other connections. The contemporary nonfiction adventure called The Wild Trees by Richard Preston might get students interested in The Tree by Colin Tudge and a study of natural history. Use the author websites as a way to learn more about the topic and extend the inquiry.

Tie history to literature and investigate the history of oysters with the book The Big Oyster: History in a Half Shell by Mark Kurlansky or cod by reading Cod by Mark Kurlanksy. Tie these histories to local, national, or world history. What other key resources such as spices or salt have played a role in history? Find these connections in books such as Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. Use the PBS website to draw students into this exploration of history, geography, and science. Watch Richard Preston on the Daily Show or Jarod Diamond on the Colbert Report to get students interested.

Explore Your Multigenre Web as an assignment that could cross disciplines.

Notice how Science of Snake Oil? Information Literacy in the 21st Century connects information skills in science.

 

Science Connections

Environment

• Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (Ms. Hilbert)
• Carl Hiaasen (Grades 5-8)
• Author Sites: Scholastic
  • Hoot (Unit Plan)

Fiction and Nonfiction

• Teacher Resources
  • Intermediate Fiction and Nonfiction (Grades 6-8)

Scientific and Technical Writing

• Writing with Scientists: The American Museum of Natural History

Social Studies Connections

African American Literature

• African American Poetry Unit
• Harlem Renaissance
  • 42explore: Harlem Renaissance
  • Harlem Renaissance WebQuest
• Literature and Life: The Givens Collection from PBS

Women

• Teacher Resources
  • American Women (Ms. Hogue)
• Websites for Students
  • Internet Women's History Sourcebook

Digtial Storytelling and Living Histories

• Teacher Resources
  • 42explore: Oral History
  • 42explore: Storytelling
• Online Student Activities
  • Writing Workshop: Oral History from Scholastic
• Examples
  • BellSouth Digital Storyteller
  • Living Histories
  • Voices from the Schoolhouse - Oral History (Middle School)
  • What did you do in the war, Grandma?
• Ideas
  • Use a wiki as a quick way to post your stories and histories.
  • Create e-scrapbooks in PowerPoint. Use the Speakernotes for sources and background information. Insert audio and video.

Origins of Language: History, Regional Dialects

• 42explore: Codes
• Exploratorium Mangazine: Language
• The Secret Language by Ron Hipschman (codes)

Primary Source Materials

• Turning Points in History (PDF) Lesson
• Wartime Posters
• Websites
  • 100 Milestone Documents

Great Depression

• Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
  • Scholastic Unit

Revolutionary War Literature Circle Starters

• April Morning by Howard Fast (Grades 6-9)
• Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
  • The Real Johnny Termain (Grades 6-8) - WebQuest
  • SpongeBob vs Johnny Termain WebQuest
• My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
  • The Debate — Loyalty or Liberty?
  • My Brother Sam is Dead