l~CUlttd itA.mmg tahtJ ~ in IJ~; CruiwkMCUlm ~ ektatdtJ ntW ~tgk The best teachers always remain students. The task of educating young minds is a changing field. Avital part of a teacher's job is to stay current on new information and teaching techniques . If they fail to do this, their students suffer. The latest teaching style, integrated teaching, involves teaching students in grades K-4 by combining language, math and science under one subject or theme. The technique is frequently referred to as unit teaching and most students currently enroll ed in college learn this style. However, teachers in the workplace have had little orno exposure to this idea. The Arkansas Crusade program was designed to correct this problem. The Crusade programwas created to teach educators how to incorporate integrated learning into their classrooms. The program sought educators who could be trained to teach integrated learning to other educators throughout the state. Dr. Tony Finley, dean of the School of Education, and Dr. Betty Watson, professor of education, were among the first chosen for this task. "I applied for the program about five years ago," Watson said. "I really applied to get the free equipment they offered for participants. I wanted it to use in my Kindergarten Methods and Materials class." Watson completed the course and began to set up courses for area schools. She was only required to teach two year-long courses according to Crusade guidelines, but she has now taught an estimated 250 teachers at six schools. "I have become good friends with my partnerwho helps conduct the course,"Watson said. "We work well together. That is another thing that teachers gain from th is course. They build relationships. That gives them a network of support and information." The training is state of the art, and teachers get a chance to flex their creative muscles using this method. "Teachers choose some creative topics/' Watson said. "They do units with themes like the Amazon, space travel or even chocolate." EI~mentary students get caught up in the topic and wh il e they learn about things like the rain forest they learn math, science and language skills. Learning becomes fun . "It is one of the best known practices for teaching, "Watson said. "Teachers are enthusiastic about using it in their classrooms. We always get positive feedback after the course." Watson's train ing spilled over into her classroom at Harding. She often separated her students into groups in the classroom and encouraged them to work with each other. "I wou ldn't have done that before," Watson said. "I think my students have benefited from my experience with this." In addition to Watson and Finley, five other Harding professors have trained with the Crusade program. "The whole experience has been fantastic for me, " Watson said. "I feel that schools in Arkansas always try to stay current and include the latest ideas in their classrooms." Now, thanks to the Crusade program and several dedicated individuals, Arkansas' elementary students will reap the rewards. - Michelle Kitchens Marilee Coker advises Laura Hamilton on her project in the curriculum lab. The lab provided special materials that students needed to develop bulletin boards, work folders and games for their future classrooms. Students spent a lot of time thereputting the finishing touches on theirprojects. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION 161 'Y
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