Looks like Project-based Learning to me. Has the potential to
be highly effective if done properly, although I think
creating one project that spans all subject areas is major
overkill.

To be honest, it is hard to judge an entire curriculum based
on an outline of this kind. As an English teacher, I'm
wondering where the literature is and what kind of writing
and skills instruction is involved in these activities.

On 10/21/09, L. Swilley wrote:
> Here is a program used in a Seattle school district, one
> for high school, attempting to join the several areas of
> study (I leave it to speak for itself):
>
> Activity: Drum making, music instruction.
> English/LA: Journal writing
> Social studies: Cultural exploration and understanding
> Art/Music: Build drums,learn African drumming
> Science/Math: Physics of sound
> Other: Appeal to kinesthetic learning style
>
> Activity: "A Long Way Gone" - reading. Writing letters to
> former child soldiers/refugees in African school
> English/LA: Literacy, Journal writing, letter writing
> Social Studies: Cultural and historical event exploration
> through first person narrative
> Art/Music: [blank]
> Science/Math: [blank]
> Other: See how teens in another culture face some of the
> same problems our students encounter. Appeal to social
> learning style.
>
> Activity: Speakers from Africa, Trauma Center
> English LA: Learn effective use of multiple sources for
> research (personal interviews, books, articles, internet).
> Collect information for research paper, learning to
> properly document resources and provide evidence to support
> thesis.
> Social Studies: Demonstrate understanding of a complex
> social issue and articulate a position
> Art/Music: Creat social action posters about thesis topic,
> for display in the school
> Science/Math: Use and representation of data and statistics
> Other: Communication Goals: listen and question to gather
> information. Research paper offers demonstration of
> learning through verbal/linguistic learn style.
>
> Activity: African Cultural Celebration
> English/LA: Presentation of project learning
> Social Studies: Presentation of project learning
> Art/Music: Masks or posters for display
> Science/Math: [blank]
> Other: Home and Family Living: cultural exploration through
> food and cooking. Offers opportunity to demonstrate
> learning through and verbal presentation.
>
> Activity: Museum Field trip
> English/LA: [blank]
> Social Studies: exploration through art
> Art/Music: activity led by museum staff
> Science/Math: [blank]
> Other: kinesthetic and social learning styles
>
> Activity: Service Learning Project
> English/LA: Documentation for Senior Portfolio
> Social Studies: Application of knowledge of issues
> Art/Music: [blank]
> Science/Math: [blank]
> Other: Ability to earn additional .5 credit for leadership
> (through CTE) or for Social Studies elective.
> *
> Would those teaching in any of these areas please comment
> here on this progam? Thanks.
>
> L. Swilley

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