Breaking Through the Curriculum: Re-imagining the Possibilities

Thus far in my academic journey through this course, what has really intrigued me is the extent to which many of the 21st century literacies and subject matters can be interwoven together. After reviewing the curriculum in New Zealand last semester and discussing this semester how some schools have made segregated subjects obsolete altogether, I have been very interested in how we might be able to follow the lead of these innovators here in Ontario. Before now I used to see the curriculum as something that was very restraining and restrictive. Now as we work through this course I am coming to see that you can use the 21st century literacies to combine and integrate different subjects together. I really like this because it has shown me where creativity and personal interests of the teacher and students can come into play. There are so many possibilities of activities and projects that can be undertaken if you take the time to consider them. This has really made teaching reveal itself as so much more of personal and subjective field than I had previously considered. 

FROM THIS!
Source: http://www.blackdeer.ca/YukonQuest11/resources.html

TO THIS!
Source: https://content.dodea.edu/VS/21st_century/web/21/strands_strategies/
curriculum_integration_multidisciplinary.html

One example that we discussed in lecture really interested me and made me start to think about all of the possibilities for planning innovative educational exercises for students. We discussed the idea of teaching students about the local food crisis. In my journal entry for that day we were required to reflect in an alternative form that writing. I decided to create a mind map with the local food crisis in the middle. I was able to connect this single issue with several subject matters and 21st century literacies! In teaching this topic you can cover mathematics, science, geography/social studies and health education. In terms of 21st century literacies this topic can address moral literacy, media literacy, global literacy, financial literacy, digital literacy, and critical literacy! The fact that this one topic can cover so many areas, you can dedicate a lot of time to it! Due to the fact that this is also a relevant issue to today’s youth and teaching them about it can help create global citizens that will help take action to solve this crisis, you are providing an extremely meaningful opportunity for your students while also adhering the curriculum! The possibilities are endless and this is the first time I have been this excited about teaching and curriculum planning within my program. 

Source: http://mikaylawujec.com/2012/12/02/feeding-nine-billion/

        I am truly looking forward to learning more about how I can integrate relevant, real-life situations into my teachings in a way that covers a multitude of subject and literacies thus allowing me significant time to dedicate and develop in-depth learning opportunities for my students that will lead them to new knowledge, understanding, insights, and instill a passion in them that inspires them to go out into the world and take on these critical issues we are facing as a society.