Secondary Methods: Interdisciplinary Teaching in Math

Catalog description

This course builds on the pedagogical skills, curriculum design and lesson planning strategies initiated in the subject specific methods courses. Students will explore in depth collaborative techniques to integrate learning across the content areas in order to encourage high-level critical thinking/communication skills for all secondary students (embracing ESL youngsters and those with special health-care needs and/or disabilities). Technology (including assistive technology) will be explored as a way to "build bridges" across the disciplines. Participants will gain expertise in teaching their subject area by in-depth seminars with practicing professionals in their content field and then bring back this growing pedagogical proficiency in their discipline to team design interdisciplinary micro-lessons incorporating the expertise of peers from other subject areas. Assessment issues applicable to all subject disciplines, e.g., planning remedial programs, testing literacy skills (expository writing in the content areas), designing performance-based assessments (e.g., oral presentations and/or research projects), as well as constructing appropriate rubrics will be shared in the context of a contemporary school without content specific "walls."