“Unity in Diversity”

The Interdisciplinary Teaching Approach

Interdisciplinary Teaching Approach involves combining two or more topics, disciplines or subject matter that historically has been taught separately into one class.

Interdisciplinary Instruction

•Knowledge-based

•Literacy-based

•Inquiry-based

•Project-based

Bodies of

Water

ReadingImproving reading comprehension by

reading literature about different bodies of water

MathMeasurement: Measuring

the length/distance of bodies of water, volume of

liquids and density of materials

PESwimming

ScienceAquatic Ecosystem

Water Cycle

FilipinoMga alamat at

kwentong bayan na naka-base sa mga

anyong tubig

HekasiEpekto ng iba’t ibang

anyong tubig sa pamumuhay ng mga

tao

Integrated curriculumInterdisciplinary

instructionThematic teaching Synergistic teaching

Related Terms

ITA

Interactions

Performance

Depth

Professional Growth

Inquiry Learnin

g

Interactions• acknowledge all levels of abilities• addresses multiple intelligences • offer integration of various

subject matter• allows different kinds of

interactions (teacher-student, student-material, student-student, teacher-teacher)

Performance• increase motivation; better

performance• give meaning-oriented and

content-rich classrooms• lessons have wider application

Depth• discover relationship that exist

across the areas/disciplines in the real world

• develop deeper understanding of the theme/topic

• time can be devoted to making choices, reflecting, exploring

Professional growth• “Theme teaching is team

teaching.”• support reflective practice and

collegial sharing• connect to

school/district/state/national standards

• articulates teachers’ beliefs about teaching and learning

Inquiry Learning

• allow problem-solving• increases student motivation• allow exploration of big ideas• allow time for brainstorming

and questioning

Sample Interdisciplinary Approach Lesson

Grade Level: Grade 6Learning Topic: Energy Transfer in the Ecosystem Energy Pyramid Theme: Pyramids of Life

Objectives:•explain how energy is transferred in the ecosystem;•make an energy pyramid;•compute the amount of energy available for the trophic levels in an energy pyramid; and,•set their priorities by applying the concept of the energy pyramid.

Review: 3-Level PuzzleFirst level: Jigsaw Puzzle

Arrange the puzzle pieces to complete the picture.

Second Level: Jumbled Letters You will identify what is being shown by

the picture by arranging the second level which is made up of jumbled letters.

Third Level: Jumbled WordsYou will define the answer from the second

puzzle by arranging the third level which is made up of jumbled words.

First Level

Second Level

Third Level

FOOD WEB

a set of interconnected food chains by which energy and materials circulate within an ecosystem

FOOD WEBa set of interconnected food chains by which energy and materials circulate within an ecosystem

Bahay Kubo

Heat and Light

Energy Pyramid

-a diagram of the feeding relationship among organisms which shows the amount of energy available at each level of the food chain

-depicts that energy decreases as the trophic level goes up

Energy Pyramid

Level 1100%

10% of 100

10% of 10

10% of 1Level 40.1%

Level 31%

Level 210%

Only 10% of the energy from the previous level is left for the next level.

Level 13,300 cal.

10% of 3,300

10% of 330

10% of 33Level 43.3 cal.

Level 333 cal.

Level 2330 cal.

100% of 3,300

Level 1450,000 cal.

Level 4450 cal.

Level 34,500 cal.

Level 245,000 cal.

Energy Pyramid

Food Pyramid

Using the materials given to you, make an energy pyramid. Compute for the energy available in every trophic level if the First Level has 60, 291 calories.(7 minutes)

Group Activity:

Criteria 4(Very Good)

3(Good)

2(Fair)

1(Needs

Improvement)

Logic

Computation

Creativity and

Neatness

Presentation:

1st Level60,291 cal.

2nd Level6,029.1 cal.

3rd Level602.91 cal.

4th Level60.291 cal.

5th Level6.0291 cal.

National Government

Provincial Government

BarangayGovernment

City Government

Pyramid of Corruption

Priority PyramidArrange your priorities by applying the concept of the energy pyramid.

Generalization:Complete the following statement:

•Energy Pyramid is...

•The bigger the space that a living thing occupies in the energy pyramid…

•As the trophic level goes higher…

Points of IntegrationBased on the Theme (Pyramids of Life)Health/HELE: Differentiating Energy Pyramid and

Food PyramidSocial Studies: Using the Pyramid in Analyzing the

Issue of CorruptionCLVE: Using the Pyramid in Setting Priorities: Making

God the Top Priority

Based on the Skills:Music: The Plants in Bahay KuboMath: Computing Energy in the Different Trophic

Levels of the Energy PyramidArts: Using Available Materials in Making an Energy

Pyramid

How to Teach with Interdisciplinary Approach

1. Pre-Instructional Planning2. Introduce the Methodology to

Students3. Take it to the Classroom4. Practice Interdisciplinary Thinking5. Provide feedback6. Assessment

Challenges Facing Interdisciplinary Teachers

• Become sufficiently knowledgeable• Find the appropriate level of

interdisciplinary complexity• Convince students• Avoid polarity• Offer a balance examination• Promote the synthesis of ideas

Theme/Topic

Subject

Subject

Subject

Subject

Workshop

Year level:_____________