Cross-Curricular Teaching in the Primary School: Planning and Facilitating Imaginative Lessons

How can teaching across the curriculum improve children’s learning? How can you plan meaningful, imaginative topic work?

Cross-Curricular Teaching in the Primary School helps teachers plan a more imaginative, integrated curriculum by presenting in accessible language a rationale and framework for teaching across the subjects. Illustrated throughout with examples of effective topic work in successful schools, this book provides guidance on the underpinning theory and strategies to facilitate cross-curricular work with young children. Issues covered include:

how children learn
developing the curriculum and lesson planning
teaching and learning in an integrated way at KS1 and KS
whole school approaches and team teaching for cross-curricular teaching
the role of support staff in cross-curricular teaching
improving children’s thinking skills
supporting children with special needs
using new media and drama to facilitate cross-curricular learning
assessing cross-curricular learning.


Cross-Curricular Teaching in the Primary School provides much needed support for busy student and practising teachers. Packed with practical ideas, it offers an accessible guide to all aspects of introducing an integrated curriculum.

Trevor Kerry is Emeritus Professor at the University of Lincoln and Visiting Professor at Bishop Grosseteste University College, UK.

Part I: Some Theoretical Issues 1. Introducing Cross-Curricular Teaching Trevor Kerry 2. How Children Learn Trevor Kerry Part II: Across the Age-Range 3. Cross-Curricular Teaching to Support Child-initiated Learning in EYFS and Key Stage 1 Elizabeth Wood 4. The Cross-Curricular Approach in Key Stage 1 Jane Johnston 5. The Cross-Curricular Approach in Key Stage 2 Christine Farmery Part III: Supporting All Learners 6. Whole School Approaches to Engage Learners Alex Bedford and Karen Parsons 7. Managing the Contribution of Support Staff to Cross-Curricular Learning Pat Foulkes and Jill Wallis 8. Monitoring the Work and Progress of the Most Able within an Integrated Curriculum Carolle Kerry, John Richardson and Sue Lambert Part IV: Issues, Skills and Approaches 9. Curriculum Planning and Preparation for Cross-Curricular Teaching Judith Laurie 10. Assessing Cross-Curricular Learning Kathleen Taylor 11. Using a Range of Media in Cross-Curricular Teaching Trevor Kerry 12. Planning Effective Team Teaching for Cross-Curricular Learning Peter Harrod and Trevor Kerry