ECE 640 Topic 2 Assignment Clinical Field Experience A: Bringing Science and Social Studies Together

Developing cross-curricular instruction is a way for students to apply diverse knowledge and skills. By diving into the curriculum, teachers can integrate and create cross-curricular lessons that are beneficial and developmentally-appropriate for students.

Allocate at least 3 hours in the field (grade level K-3) to support this field experience.

For this assignment, arrange with your mentor teacher to observe both a science lesson and a social studies lesson. Following the observations, interview your mentor teacher about integrating science and social studies content into cross-curricular instruction.

Listed below are possible talking points for your interview:

• How does your mentor teacher design developmentally-appropriate and engaging science and social studies lessons?
• How is technology incorporated into science and social studies instruction?
• How does the mentor teacher develop cross-curricular lessons that include science or social studies?
• Does your mentor teacher feel students show more interests in their learning when cross-curricular lessons are used?
• How does your mentor teacher verify the relevance of the cross-curricular lessons?
• How does cross-curricular instruction allow children to make connections between the subject areas?
• Does your mentor teacher feel he or she is able to focus the curriculum to include cross-curricular instruction and delve deeper into the learning?
• How does cross-curricular instruction allow for peer collaboration? Does this generate more learning in the classroom?
• How did your mentor teacher ensure students applied the knowledge and skills learned to other subjects?

Spend any remaining field experience hours observing or assisting the teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.

Write a 250-500 word reflection summarizing the insights from your mentor teacher on developing and  science and social studies lessons. Explain how your mentor teacher incorporates and plans cross-curricular instruction. How will this influence your future professional practice?

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.

Submit the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form to the LMS in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.