CURRICULUM KNOWLEDGE 1
EDUC 771 – Curriculum Theory (CURRICULUM CHANGE PLAN: PART 5 –
CURRICULUM KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLEMENTATION) Liberty University
Curriculum Change Plan: Part 5 – Curriculum Knowledge and Implementation
Lauren N. Smith
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
Lauren N. Smith
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Lauren N. Smith
Email:
Word Count (body only): [1704]
, CURRICULUM KNOWLEDGE 2
Curriculum Change Plan: Part 5 – Curriculum Knowledge and Implementation
Curriculum Integration Approaches
Integrated or cross-curricular instruction is defined as “ a conscious effort to apply
knowledge, principles, and/or values to more than one academic discipline simultaneously. The
disciplines may be related through a central theme, issue, problem, process, topic, or experience”
(Jacobs, 1989). Over the years, researchers have developed four different types of curriculum
integration approaches.
Parallel Curriculum Integration
In the Parallel Approach, teachers from different subject areas focus on the same theme
with assignments that vary. For example, in English, Music, and Art we are looking at cultural
diversity and focus on the Chinese culture. In English, students are conducting a film study on
the movie “Mulan.” In Music, students may listen to Chinese music and maybe learn a Chinese
dance such as tai chi. Finally, in Art class students may look at different pieces of Chinese art
and compare and contrast them. Parallel instruction is beneficial because teachers can maintain a
higher level of control over lesson plans. The only real coordination between content areas in
the timing of teaching the material.
Infusion Curriculum Integration
In the Infusion Approach, integration occurs when a teacher pulls other subjects into
daily lessons. The benefits of this type of curriculum is that the subject area teacher maintains
complete control over what material is being taught.
Multidisciplinary Curriculum Integration
Multidisciplinary Approach occurs when there are two or more teachers of different
subject areas who agree to address the same theme with a common project. This type of
EDUC 771 – Curriculum Theory (CURRICULUM CHANGE PLAN: PART 5 –
CURRICULUM KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLEMENTATION) Liberty University
Curriculum Change Plan: Part 5 – Curriculum Knowledge and Implementation
Lauren N. Smith
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
Lauren N. Smith
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Lauren N. Smith
Email:
Word Count (body only): [1704]
, CURRICULUM KNOWLEDGE 2
Curriculum Change Plan: Part 5 – Curriculum Knowledge and Implementation
Curriculum Integration Approaches
Integrated or cross-curricular instruction is defined as “ a conscious effort to apply
knowledge, principles, and/or values to more than one academic discipline simultaneously. The
disciplines may be related through a central theme, issue, problem, process, topic, or experience”
(Jacobs, 1989). Over the years, researchers have developed four different types of curriculum
integration approaches.
Parallel Curriculum Integration
In the Parallel Approach, teachers from different subject areas focus on the same theme
with assignments that vary. For example, in English, Music, and Art we are looking at cultural
diversity and focus on the Chinese culture. In English, students are conducting a film study on
the movie “Mulan.” In Music, students may listen to Chinese music and maybe learn a Chinese
dance such as tai chi. Finally, in Art class students may look at different pieces of Chinese art
and compare and contrast them. Parallel instruction is beneficial because teachers can maintain a
higher level of control over lesson plans. The only real coordination between content areas in
the timing of teaching the material.
Infusion Curriculum Integration
In the Infusion Approach, integration occurs when a teacher pulls other subjects into
daily lessons. The benefits of this type of curriculum is that the subject area teacher maintains
complete control over what material is being taught.
Multidisciplinary Curriculum Integration
Multidisciplinary Approach occurs when there are two or more teachers of different
subject areas who agree to address the same theme with a common project. This type of
