Many schools wish to make their curriculum more coherent and so search for cross-curricular links. When effective, these can make learning more relevant, and can help learners make connections that help their learning and deepen their understanding.
Cross-curricular links can be used to:
- Bring learning to life by using one subject to contextualise learning in another.
- Use information from one subject to serve learning in another.
- Skills learnt across disciplines help children build cognitive bridges.
But what makes for good cross-curricular links?
The Principles
- There are clear learning intentions for each subject.
- What is taught is inter-related rather than inter-connected.
- Learners see the relevance and use learning in one subject to enhance skills and understanding in the other.
- Each subject contributes to improvement and progress.
Examples
PE and Maths
- Athletics competition – how far can you run in 3 seconds? Jump your height – fair competition. Pace yourself over distance in 1 minute, 2 and 3.
- Data handling.
- Exploration of ideas.
- Mathematical skills and concepts.
PE and Literacy
- Gymnastics – Talk and write your sequence.
- Feedback – Describe – Evaluate.
- Explore scientific concepts – e.g. balance and power.
- Dance – use poetry as the stimulus for dance. Use movements to create a story.
When cross-curricular links do not work, they are often contrived, and links are tenuous. This leads to a loss of focus on what is to be learnt and limits learning in any one subject.
The key to successful cross-curricular links is pre-planning and using the resources and technology available.
James Latham
Trust PE Lead
Excelsior Multi Academy Trust
