Participants explore five models of curriculum integration; identify the benefits and challenges of integration to students, teachers, and community; discuss successful teaching strategies; outline a unit; practice team building; and develop an Interdisciplinary Teamed Instruction (ITI) implementation strategy. Each participant will receive a copy of AEL's Dissolving the Boundaries, a subscription to the ITI listserv, and a multitude of ideas for successful integration.

The workshops include the following goals:

• expand understanding of the models and processes for successful interdisciplinary teaming and curriculum integration

• recognize factors that support or impede teamed instruction

• identify team structures that are most appropriate in a particular school setting

• increase capacity for teamwork

• outline an integrated unit plan

• develop an ITI action plan

In three days participants have more opportunities to develop team skills and curriculum plans.

Rebecca (Becky) Burns specializes in curriculum development, professional development, and change facilitation. The findings from her two-year research and development project on curriculum integration, conducted in four Virginia secondary schools, led to the formation of the ITI program at AEL. The ITI program provides publications, training, and electronic networking for schools that are exploring and implementing curriculum integration.

Becky has conducted curriculum integration workshops and institutes throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Her conference presentations include the National Conference on Curriculum Integration, National Education Association's Center for Innovation Annual Symposium, National Rural Education Association meetings, and American Educational Research Association conferences. She is a member of the steering committee of the National High School Association.

Becky is a former secondary teacher and curriculum supervisor and has taught at the University of Charleston and the West Virginia Graduate College. She is the author of two books and several articles. Her chapter on Interdisciplinary Teamed Instruction will be included in Interdisciplinarity K-16: Perspectives on Integrating Curricula, an upcoming publication of The College Board.

These week-long summer events offer intensive training in ITI implementation to established teams of educators. Interdisciplinary teams, career-cluster teams, multiple-site project teams, inclusionary learning teams, and staff development leaders can all benefit from this experience. AEL offers an annual institute, or will arrange local, on-site institutes. For more information, contact Rebecca Burns at AEL or by e-mail burnsr@ael.org.

There's a sample syllabus behind this page.