Interdisciplinary Resources in the Classroom

As a 6^th grade social studies teacher I have the opportunity to teach one of my favorite era’s in World History; Ancient Rome.  I love to teach students about Ancient Rome not only because I get to expose them to the building blocks of the system of government in the United States, but I also get to bring in a multitude of resources outside my subject area to help engage students and broaden students’ understanding about one of the most fascinating and advanced periods in history.  One “resource” that I utilize with students has to do with Ancient Roman games.  Although I am not a P.E. teacher, I love to get students active in my classroom.  Romans were famous for their gladiator fights, foot races, and chariot races, so I try to bring these games alive within my own classroom. 

http://rome.mrdonn.org/circus.html

http://www.romanmysteries.com/charioteer-facts

Above are two websites that have amazing descriptions and visuals about the Roman circuses and charioteers.  After students learn about Roman games, I give them the opportunity to “practice” what they learn by having their own races.   Each class spends a period out on the track where we partake in both foot races and “chariot” races through the use of jump ropes and “wagon rollers” provided by the P.E. department.  Because students are able to experience the games for themselves, they gain a deeper understanding of the content.

Another outside I resource I bring into the classroom when studying about Ancient Rome has to do with architecture.  Romans are famous for building structures that are still around today, and students LOVE to look at images of the coliseum, roman aqueducts, The Pantheon, the Via Apia etc. 

http://rome.mrdonn.org/art.html

Above is a great Internet site that has tons of readings, games, and worksheets all concerning Roman architecture.  In my classroom, after students have learned the “basics” of the Roman style of architecture, I allow them to make their own structures in that same style.  Students are allowed to use whatever medium they would like, and it is truly amazing to see some of the products that they are able to come up with.

            Although I love using interdisciplinary resources within my own teaching, there are some major challenges when using the technique.  I think that them main challenge is time.  Most interdisciplinary resources involve a lot of student creativity and that creativity takes time.  In schools where teachers are forced to follow a strict pacing guide, this can pose quite a problem.  Another challenge when using interdisciplinary resources comes when making sure that the activity is “meaningful” and connects back to the content that the teacher wants the student to be learning.  A lot of times teachers try to throw in an art project to make it fun for the students, however the project does not connect back to the material you want the students to be learning.  However, even though there are challenges that must be over come when using interdisciplinary resources, I think that the rewards out way the risks, and teachers should strive to put these fun and engaging activities in every unit that they teach.

I responded to Andrew Eckloff at http://aeckloff.blogspot.com/2012/07/mait-402-blog-july-17th.html