Integrating curriculum flow means that, rather than providing only a linear option for students, there is a freedom for students to explore and choose options that make sense for themselves. Even though I may be a Social Studies teacher and know a lot about History, for example, I have understood and learned it differently from another Social Studies teacher who also may know a lot about History. That is, when something is presented to us, our own Schema of understanding provides a filter through which information passes and during that process, various connections are being made that help me to understand more clearly.
The Mind Research Institute provides this quick overview of "schema" for understanding. They also provide some examples including one regarding understanding as aspect of Math. The article states:
In modern psychology, schema describes a memory trace that can hold relatively simple but also quite complex information.
While it is not a simple task to fully grasp the complexities of individual schema, nevertheless, each individual has the capacity to understanding simple and complex problems by accessing their schema.
Therefore, to only provide students with a preset linear plan in hoping for full understanding is actually inadequate. Rather, students should be encouraged to access what is recognizable to their schema of understanding if greater understanding is the goal.
The more we can integrate the curriculum flow, then, the more likely we are to not only include more students in the process, but to utilize the already existing resources students already have in their won understanding.
TIP: Pan instruction with understanding in mind!
Coming up next, "How can I ever plan for a fully integrated curriculum?" Stay tuned...