What is the best initial step for a teaching team planning interdisciplinary units?

Creating a curriculum map is a vital initial step for a teaching team planning interdisciplinary units because it allows educators to visualize and identify the connections between different subjects. By mapping out the curriculum, teachers can pinpoint themes, concepts, and skills that overlap across disciplines, which is crucial for effective interdisciplinary teaching. This mapping process facilitates collaboration among teachers and ensures that the interdisciplinary units are cohesive and aligned with learning objectives.

Through this step, the team can draw connections that engage students more deeply in their learning, highlighting real-world applications and relevance. It also helps in addressing various learning styles and promotes critical thinking by encouraging students to see relationships between content areas. Successful interdisciplinary units typically begin with a clear understanding of how different subjects can work together, making the curriculum map an essential tool in this planning process.