Interdisciplinary School-Wide Learning: Practitioner Inquiries Into the Impacts of Multiage Themes on Student Learning and School Culture

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium of four papers and a discussant examines the role that school-wide thematic units play in helping students’ to develop strong habits of work and mind, while also nurturing a culture of trust and collaboration throughout the school. Panelists are current or former teachers at the same, democratically governed school and, using practitioner inquiry methods, detail and evaluate thematic units they have undertaken with students. In addition, the panel explores the relevance of their research beyond their own school by investigating some common supports and obstacles faced by teachers who are at various stages of implementing thematic units in a range of different school settings.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Teacher as Researcher

Chair

• Wangari Gichiru, Central Connecticut State University

Papers

• The Struggle for Justice: The Civil Rights Movement Through the Lens of Photography and Poetry - Jenerra Williams, Boston Public Schools

• Astronomical Inquiries - Matthew Knoester, University of Evansville

• Early Childhood Project: Creating a Class Bakery - Kathy Clunis D'Andrea, Mission Hill School

• School-Wide Thematic Teaching as Democratic Praxis - Emily R. Gasoi, Center for Inspired Teaching

Discussant

• Deborah W. Meier, New York University