Developing Units of Work
The VELS provides teachers with an opportunity to interweave a number of domains that can be linked purposefully and meaningfully to develop a unit of work that is contextual and relevant.
Examples of the types of units of work which interweaves domains across the strands include:
- integrating a number of disciplines with relevant domains from the Physical, Personal and Social Learning and the Interdisciplinary Learning strands
- addressing an aspect of a domain such as algebra, persuasive writing, role-play or web design. When developed these units include other domains such as Thinking Processes, ICT, Personal Learning or Interpersonal Development.
There are times, however, where it is important to acknowledge that some concepts and skills need to be taught explicitly before they can be interwoven or integrated. The individual teacher or team of teachers must use their discretion when deciding what can be integrated and what must be taught in a specific and precise manner.
Differentiation of the curriculum is achieved by ensuring rich teaching and learning opportunities are planned in the unit of work that addresses the range of students’ learning which may be below or above the expected VELS level.
This resource provides advice on planning units of work to include domains from across the three strands and examples of units from schools that have an integrated or discipline focus.
