Many curricular innovations, including cross-curricular teaching, are started in schools without adequate teacher preparation and support, reducing the effectiveness of the interventions in supporting student learning. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the implementation of the cross-curricular connections teaching technique in middle schools. Research questions focused on how middle school teachers experienced implementation of cross-curricular teaching at the incident level and how teachers perceived cross-curricular teaching and its long-term value. Myers-Briggs personality type theory informed the study, supporting the postulation that teachers are more comfortable teaching from their personality types. Data from 10 middle school teachers from 3 urban and semirural parochial schools in the northeastern United States were collected through interviews, focus group sessions, journals, and documents such as lesson plans and classroom materials. Open coding was used within progressive and comparative analyses. Primary themes included teacher comfort with cross-curricular connections; various applications of the teaching technique; cross-curricular connections within lessons; time constraints in planning, preparation, and implementation; and creative enhancement of lessons. Recommendations included enhanced professional development, more planning time for teacher teams, and more research about the technique. Positive social change implications include sustaining teachers' adoption and implementation of cross-curricular instruction in support of student achievement.

Many curricular innovations, including cross-curricular teaching, are started in schools without adequate teacher preparation and support, reducing the effectiveness of the interventions in supporting student learning. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the implementation of the cross-curricular connections teaching technique in middle schools. Research questions focused on how middle school teachers experienced implementation of cross-curricular teaching at the incident level and how teachers perceived cross-curricular teaching and its long-term value. Myers-Briggs personality type theory informed the study, supporting the postulation that teachers are more comfortable teaching from their personality types. Data from 10 middle school teachers from 3 urban and semirural parochial schools in the northeastern United States were collected through interviews, focus group sessions, journals, and documents such as lesson plans and classroom materials. Open coding was used within progressive and comparative analyses. Primary themes included teacher comfort with cross-curricular connections; various applications of the teaching technique; cross-curricular connections within lessons; time constraints in planning, preparation, and implementation; and creative enhancement of lessons. Recommendations included enhanced professional development, more planning time for teacher teams, and more research about the technique. Positive social change implications include sustaining teachers' adoption and implementation of cross-curricular instruction in support of student achievement.

The thesis Water is Life describes the natural science project realized over seven years at elementary school in Chrudim. The theoretical part is dedicated to comparison of the transmissive and constructive-based teaching. It also defines the terms: project, project- based teaching, projective method and research-based teaching. Further chapters deal with contrasting the project-based teaching with integrated theme-based teaching and implementation of the topic Water in the Framework Education Programme for Elementary Education. The analytical part of the thesis describes the process of realization of the Water is Life project from the methodology to the final evaluation. It also employs critical analysis of the project with emphasis on "projectivity" of the projects and necessity of following the basic criteria for the project-based teaching. The main aim of this thesis is to describe the problematic parts and the possible alterations of the described project. KEYWORDS Project teaching, cross-curricular relationships, water, project analysis, observation, inquiry-based science education

The diploma thesis suggests methods and forms of geography teaching in the second stage of the primary school aimed at the theme of quality of life. The themes of the suggested subject matters are the influence of the environment on quality of life of people, difference in quality of life in rural and urban areas, comprehension of the concept of quality of life and quality of life of the elderly. The concept of quality of life is situated into the context of the Framework Education Programme for Basic Education and the chosen curriculum of Základní Škola pod Svatou Horou in Příbram. Didactic evaluation of the given topic in chosen textbooks of geography for the second stage of primary schools is a part of the thesis. The theoretical concept based on expertise literature is connected with themes of Didactics, cross-curricular approaches, key competences, methods and forms of teaching. The research surveying pupil's problem-solving competence focused on the topic of quality of life is realized among 28 pupils and 11 teachers by way of questionnaire survey.

Master's thesis "Cross-curricular relations at the level of curriculum planning for the educational areas of Mathematics and Its Application and Man and His World (Physics)" discusses the cross-curricular relations between Mathematics and Physics. Thesis is complete with an analysis of textbooks along with additional examples of cross-curricular relations according to the topics of FEP EE for the area of Mathematics and Its Application. Finally, the thesis compiles complex exercises that make use of cross-curricular relations of various subjects, foremostly mathematics and physics, complete with the research of their practical usability.

The diploma thesis deals with topics in the teaching of geography of religion at the 2nd grade of elementary school. The aim of the thesis is to create own educational material focused on the geography of religion, which will develop pupils in the key competences resulting from interdisciplinary relationships. The theoretical part is devoted to the classification of teaching methods and their characteristics. Futher, the issue of geography of religion is placed in the context of RVP ZV and monitored at selected schools. From the point of view of the given topic, attention is also paid to the didactical evaluation of geography textbooks for the 2nd level of primary schools with the current MŠMT clause. At the end of the thesis there is a proposal of own teaching material in the form of various activities that will interestingly approach pupils to the given topic.

Environmental education (EE) as an approach to all education is needed to be incorporated in all the subjects of the school curriculum. In Namibia, there are Ministerial documents that support the incorporation of education About, In/ Through and For the environment within the curriculum. Even though there are documents that support this, EE continues to suffer barriers that hinder its effective incorporation into the curriculum. The findings reveal that EE in Namibia is incorporated into the traditional environmental subject homes only. The barriers that prevent the incorporation of EE into the Namibian broad curriculum for secondary schools are, amongst others, the lack of adequate teacher education programmes and the lack of interdepartmental collaboration at school level. These barriers and many others have been identified and discussed in detail in this investigation. Measures are recommended to ensure effective incorporation of EE in the Namibian broad curriculum for secondary schools. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Environmental Education)

Diploma thesis deals with cross-curricular themes at middle school level. In theoretical part the cross-curricular themes are described, as included in the general curriculum for basic education. Further attention is dedicated to {\clqq}Multicultural education``. Practical part includes the survey of teachers at elementary schools in reference to their work on the school curriculum for basic education and cross-curricular themes. Diploma thesis also includes suggestion of several lessons which can be used for multicultural education.

Descreve uma investigação realizada junto a professores do Ensino Médio sobre percepções relacionadas à inovação curriculares na forma de estudos do futuro. Objetivo: Em primeiro lugar, identificar de que maneira os professores entendem o conceito de futuro em suas vidas. Em segundo lugar, identificar percepções e atitudes em relação aos estudos do futuro e à implementação destes junto a alunos do Ensino Médio da cidade de São Paulo. Em terceiro, orientar projetos nas escolas locais que adotassem essa abordagem. Método: Em sua primeira fase, questionário estruturado enviado a 200 professores participantes, no período de março a junho de 2007. Em sua segunda fase, oficina de apresentação realizada nas escolas investigadas e outro questionário estruturado enviado a 80 professores, no período de junho a agosto de 2007. Em sua terceira fase, reuniões com professores e coordenadores das escolas adotantes. Resultados: A primeira fase mostrou que os professores percebem o futuro como um período de tempo entre 10 a 20 anos do presente. Existe uma mistura de otimismo e preocupação em relação ao futuro e a crença de que é necessário um alto grau de preparação para este. A segunda fase mostrou que os professores percebem a relevância em estudar o futuro, principalmente para si mesmos. Entre as ferramentas apresentadas na oficina, técnicas como elaboração de cenários e consulta a especialistas lhes pareceram mais claras e de maior facilidade e relevância para a introdução junto a seus alunos. A terceira fase incluiu a adoção projetos multidisciplinares, propostas curriculares e atividades isoladas, por parte de algumas das escolas. Conclusão: Os professores mostram um grau de preocupação e interesse elevado na preparação de seus alunos para o futuro. Os estudos do futuro oferecem uma alternativa viável para a introdução de projetos e atividades de caráter multidisciplinar que ajudam os jovens a planejar e se preparar para o futuro. / It describes an investigation carried out with Secondary School teachers on their perceptions regarding curriculum innovations using a futures studies approach. Aim: Firstly, to identify the ways in which teachers view the concept of future in their lives. Secondly, identify the perceptions and attitudes regarding futures studies and their introduction in the Secondary School classroom in the city of São Paulo. Thirdly, supervise projects in the local schools which adopted such approach. Methodology: In its first phase, a structured questionnaire was sent to the 200 participant teachers, between March and June 2007. In its second phase, a workshop to introduce future studies in the schools under investigation was held, followed by another structured questionnaire, between June and August 2007. In its third phase, meetings with teachers and pedagogical coordinators were held. Results: The first phase showed teachers perceive the future as a period between 10 and 20 years from the present. There is a mix of optimism and worry and a belief that a high level of preparation is required for this future. The second phase showed that teachers perceive the relevance of future studies, particularly for themselves. Among the tools presented in the workshop, the creation of scenarios and the use of expert opinion were those which seemed clearer, more relevant and of easier introduction in the classroom. The third phase included the adoption of cross curricular projects, proposals for curriculum change and attempts at different activities by some of the schools. Conclusion: Teachers show a high level of interest and worry in the preparation of their students for the future. Future studies offer a viable alternative for the introduction of projects and classroom activities of a cross curricular nature that will help young people to plan and prepare for the future.

Objective: Our objective was to measure fourth grade elementary students' levels of physical activity (PA) during school hours in multiple settings/activities. Methods: Fourth grade students' PA levels were measured in physical education (PE) classes, playground free play, and playground-based cross-curricular instruction using accelerometers, pedometers, and SOFIT observation methods. Results: PE provided the highest levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA (accelerometers [F(2, 32) = 7.84, p < .01], pedometers [F(2, 198) = 49.6, p < .01], and the SOFIT observational method [F(2, 121) = 22.37, p < .01]). Conclusions: Whereas PE yielded the highest levels of PA, it fell short of the recommended daily guidelines. Free play and cross-curricular activity may supplement PE to reach the overall daily PA guideline levels.