Cross Curricular Teaching – Key Features and Best Practices for Secondary Students

Cross-curricular or interdisciplinary education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities by simultaneously providing students access to various courses. It also empowers students to face future difficulties by exposing them to inventive and collaborative solutions. In this article, let’s look at how the ISHCMC MYP program enhances our students’ learning experiences through interdisciplinary teaching.

What is Cross Curricular Teaching?

Cross-curricular, or interdisciplinary, teaching combines multiple subjects into a cohesive learning experience, helping students make meaningful connections between different areas of knowledge. Rather than studying topics in isolation, this approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the material.

For example, a history lesson might explore ancient civilizations’ geography, art, and literature, making learning more engaging and immersive. By linking subjects together, students develop problem-solving skills and gain a broader perspective, allowing them to apply their knowledge more effectively to real-world situations.

Benefits of Cross Curricular Teaching

Cross-curricular teaching creates an engaging and effective learning experience for students with the following benefits:

• Boosts Understanding: Gives students comprehensive perspectives to understand complex ideas effortlessly.
• Fosters Creativity: Encourages students to think outside the box and create new associations among different fields of knowledge.
• Real-World Application: Establishes a routine of applying knowledge from different areas to solve a real-life problem.
• Stronger Skill Development: Strengthens critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills essential for future success.
• Improves Collaboration: Help students be familiar with realistic working environments by promoting their teamwork during school projects.

Key Features of Cross Curricular Teaching

Key features that enhance the value of cross-curricular teaching include:

• Integrating different subjects: Students can understand the connection between different subjects throughout one lesson. For example, they can acquire knowledge of math, geography, and economics lessons when taking a science lesson on climate change.
• Holistic growth: Blending intellectual skills with real-world applications supports well-rounded development and prepares students for complex, multidisciplinary challenges.
• Engaged learning: This teaching approach motivates students with meaningful learning experiences through interactive lessons, projects, and discussions.
• Curriculum coherence: Cross-curricular teaching allows students to effectively apply their knowledge beyond the classroom under a comprehensive perspective.

Driven by these elements, transdisciplinary education equips students with the required skills to achieve their academic goals in the classroom and in life.

Best Practices for Cross Curricular Teaching

ISHCMC has applied interdisciplinary teaching to our curriculum as a core teaching method in IB programs to encourage students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills toward real-world scenarios. Here are some practices we have implemented to incorporate cross-curricular activities into our ways of teaching.

Authentic Experience

At ISHCMC, we believe learning should be meaningful and practical. By incorporating real-world experiences into lessons, our students see how different subjects connect.

For instance, during a unit on sustainability, one student could research environmental challenges in science, study international policy in social studies, and give potential solutions in English.

Our MYP teachers encourage interdisciplinary learning by applying math to entrepreneurial budgeting or exploring historical events to understand societal change. This approach makes lessons relevant, engaging, and directly applicable to our students’ lives.

Visual Aids

International schools use various visual and digital resources to make cross-curricular learning more interactive. Infographics, education videos, virtual reality, and interactive simulations form bridges between subject areas among students.

At ISHCMC, students explore ancient civilizations through engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect historical inquiry with scientific thinking. Moreover, we also apply visual storytelling, mind maps, and multimedia presentations to strengthen comprehension, making knowledge transfer across subjects more seamless.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Most international schools follow project-based learning (PBL) as their core approach to cross-curriculum learning. Project-based learning challenges learners to explore tough, real-world challenges that urge them to draw upon the knowledge of multiple disciplines.

Teachers at ISHCMC design inquiry-based projects that promote curiosity and collaboration. For instance, students might design an eco-city using math for planning, learning environmental science, and practicing persuasive communication to present their ideas.

This approach strengthens subject knowledge by developing creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Scaffolded Support

At ISHCMC, we create a supportive and collaborative learning environment where students make meaningful connections across subjects. Our teachers work together to design interwoven lessons that build a solid and integrated understanding of key concepts.

For instance, a history unit on the Industrial Revolution might connect with art class projects on industrial design and physics lessons on mechanical principles. This approach helps our students see the broader impact of historical events while applying technical knowledge hands-on.

Multimodal Approach

One of the most significant advantages of an international education is exposure to diverse cultural perspectives. Cross-curricular teaching includes global affairs, ethics, and cultural heritage courses so that students gain a better-balanced global outlook.

ISHCMC fosters multilingual and multicultural learning. Students study various viewpoints from literature, social studies, and language studies. Integrating international themes in-class lessons prepares learners to be open, culturally aware global citizens.

Find out how our interdisciplinary approach benefits learners in this article.

Experience Cross-Curricular Teaching at ISHCMC

An interdisciplinary approach to education fosters deeper understanding, creativity, and practical problem-solving. At ISHCMC, we embed this approach into the curriculum, which provides a holistic education for our students’ future.

Join us at ISHCMC to experience the benefits of an interdisciplinary education. Apply today!