Mapping Curriculum Integration

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the big ideas in curriculum integration. It familiarises the reader with some of the key historical developments that have shaped the current understandings of integrated curriculum. It presents an overview of common models of integrated curriculum and provides a background for the later chapters of this volume. After the historical overview, the chapter provides a rationale for why curriculum integration might be a good thing for young learners and their teachers. Then it presents the different models of curriculum integration before considering three particular models of implementation. Finally, the chapter finishes by outlining concerns and challenges associated with curriculum integration.