2024 Update about Interdisciplinary Learning
What’s the latest information? This post will guide you and your colleagues in Falkirk schools and ELCCs to recent guidance and ideas which should be… Read more
Developments with curriculum, interdisciplinary learning and national support during our recovery phase
This blog post flags up a shift in emphasis on interdisciplinary learning this session. It is an extract from a post made by Yvonne McBlain… Read more
New Developments in Interdisciplinary Planning
Interdisciplinary Learning in Falkirk Council primary schools is evolving in response to the advice received from our Chief HMIE in August 2016: Group E & Os together… Read more
Staff at Carron Primary School develop their moderation of planning
Jenny Deacon, principal teacher, and her colleagues at Carron PS are exploring the use of “floor books” to moderate and self-evaluate their planning and assessment.… Read more
Primary 3 at St Margaret’s PS meet their Giant!
Mrs Main and Miss Hunter, teachers of primary 3 at St Margaret’s PS have been using the storyline approach to help develop their pupils’ understanding of… Read more
St Mungo’s HS IDL Experience for New S4 Pupils
Senior managers at St Mungo’s RC High School challenged their 9 probationer teachers with the creation of an interdisciplinary learning opportunity for their 2016-17 S3… Read more
California PS Explore “Reflective” Floor Books
As part of their self-evaluation and school improvement, teachers at California Primary school have made various changes to their teaching practice over session 2016-17. They… Read more
Real Life IDL at Langlees Primary School
Between 1st and 29th June 2017, primary 5 pupils at Langlees Primary School worked with their teacher Ashley Turnbull & Yvonne McBlain, curriculum support teacher, Falkirk… Read more
Interdisciplinary Learning and the Cross-cutting Themes
Yvonne McBlain, curriculum support teacher, Falkirk Children’s Services, is working with colleagues from schools across our authority to build on the Interdisciplinary Learning training delivered… Read more
Grangemouth High School Develops Interdisciplinary Learning
Staff at Grangemouth High School are developing interdisciplinary learning across every faculty. Ashley Wood, depute head teacher, took part in the interdisciplinary learning training delivered… Read more
Secondary Probationer Teacher Interdisciplinary Professional Learning
On 28th February and 1st March, Yvonne McBlain supported probationer teachers from Falkirk secondary schools with their exploration of interdisciplinary learning. Yvonne designed the 3 hour session as a… Read more
1 + 2 Languages & the Storyline Approach
Paula O Hare and Caroline Cane teach primary 1 at Nethermains PS in Denny. They are both developing 1 + 2 languages with their pupils… Read more
The Oxgang Primary Infinitree Crop
On Friday 18th March, Bartek and Scott in primary 5 at Oxgang School, told Mrs McBlain all about the imaginary Infinitree crop which they invented. This is a… Read more
Head of Muir PS continues to develop their curriculum
On Friday 2nd March 2016, Fiona Anderson, head teacher, shared current developments with the curriculum framework and interdisciplinary learning at Head of Muir PS. Fiona used… Read more
The Water Source Storyline Develops at Head of Muir PS
Pupils and teachers in primary 6 & 7 at Head of Muir PS are enjoying their developing Water Source storylines. The Water Source is a… Read more
Primary 4 learn about Law & Order at Bantaskin PS
Yvonne McBlain visited Primary 4 at Bantaskin PS on 16th November, to hear about their Green Street and Friendship Street Storyline work. Mrs Russell’s class helped Yvonne… Read more
Primary 6 Learn about RMS Titanic
Kayleigh Docherty and her primary 6 pupils at Carron PS are embarking on an interdisciplinary storyline about RMS Titanic. Kayleigh is a probationer teacher with… Read more
Professional Learning Linked to the Antonine Wall
We are delighted to be able to offer practitioners in Falkirk schools and establishments some new professional learning linked to the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site. Patricia… Read more
Falkirk Probationer teachers go Interdisciplinary!
“In early November 2015, Yvonne McBlain, curriculum support officer with Falkirk Children’s Services enjoyed working with primary and secondary probationer teachers as part of their… Read more
World War I Project at Laurieston Primary School
Interdisciplinary information about this project in a nutshell- What happened: In 2014, primary 6 pupils at Laurieston PS developed their research skills by discovering how previous Laurieston… Read more
Let’s Build Deep & Progressive Interdisciplinary Learning
44 practitioners from establishments all over Falkirk are developing their interdisciplinary learning during 5 twilight sessions as part of our authority development of Interdisciplinary Learning.… Read more
Interdisciplinary Learning Update
Interdisciplinary Learning in Falkirk – a Quick Update Yvonne McBlain, is working with colleagues across our authority to review and develop our Interdisciplinary Learning. As… Read more
Interdisciplinary Learning and the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site
Key Information at a glance: useful context for “bundling” connected learning – social studies, literacy, learning for sustainability wonderful teaching resource on… Read more
Developing Interdisciplinary Learning at Head of Muir PS
Key information about this Head of Muir PS practice at a glance – staff building their interdisciplinary learning framework together creating related groups or “bundles” of… Read more
Denny PS makes BBC 10 Pieces into Powerful IDL
Catherine Cybulska, primary 5 teacher, and Susanne Bell, Youth Music Tutor, at Denny Primary School used the BBC 10 pieces project to truly enrich and… Read more
Integrating skills progression into learning at Hallglen PS
Following a meeting at Hallglen PS about staff development of skills within their curriculum, Alison McCalley and Linda Hastie gave Yvonne McBlain a tour of… Read more
Moray PS do powerful IDL Storylines
Over the last few school sessions, staff at Moray PS have been developing the methodology they use to deliver interdisciplinary learning. Gillian Brodie, principal teacher,… Read more
Moray PS Celebrate their Storylines in Style.
On 29th April, Primary 5 pupils at Moray PS shared and celebrated their learning during their Scottish Wars of Independence storyline. Pupils gave parents and… Read more
Class 2 in Timezone go back in time!
Yvonne McBlain was delighted to return to class 2 in the Timezone at Maddiston Primary School to find out how their “Castles” storyline had gone. Heather… Read more
BBC Ten Pieces as Creative Interdisciplinary Learning
Primary 5 pupils at Wallacestone PS, and primary 6 pupils at St Mary’s PS have now completed their final video responses… Read more
Impact of International Storyline Conference
On 28th & 29th March Yvonne McBlain attended the 6th International Storyline Conference in the new Technology and Innovation Centre which is part of the University… Read more
Great Arty Collaboration at Comely Park PS
On 27th March, staff and pupils at Comely Park PS proudly presented their successful collaborative work with The Park Gallery. This project was initiated by the… Read more
S2 Design Unit Update at Braes HS
Alison Morton and colleagues in the art department at Braes HS continue to develop and improve their S2 design unit. Since their initial development of Curriculum for… Read more
Falkirk Storylines Shared at International Conference
Teachers and senior managers from Kinnaird and Moray Primary Schools shared their use of the storyline approach at the 6th International Storyline Conference on Saturday… Read more
Braes Anatomy going well for pupils at Braes HS
S2 pupils at Braes High School are coming close to the end of their Braes Anatomy interdisciplinary experience. This experience links science, social studies and… Read more
Falkirk Schools Do BBC 10 Pieces!
Audrey Mackay, primary music teacher at Wallacestone PS and St Mary’s RC PS, has been working with pupils on the BBC 10 Pieces initiative. Click here… Read more
Developing Skills Progression at Hallglen Primary School
The senior management team at Hallglen PS shared their development of skills progression across learning with Yvonne McBlain of Falkirk’s Service, Support and Improvement team on… Read more
Deep Understanding of Global Citizenship at Kinnaird PS
Gemma Douglas, principal teacher, and Brenda Bennie class teacher from Kinnaird PS have been using WOSDEC global storyline Our Crop, our Land with their… Read more
Mysterious Medieval Death Investigated at Moray PS!
Primary 5S at Moray PS have been investigating the historic and mysterious death of King Alexander III of Scotland with their teacher Rebecca Spalding. They are using Falkirk’s Scottish… Read more
Bonnybridge PS Primary 3 Global Storyline Assembly
On Friday 27th February Yvonne McBlain was delighted to be invited along to see primary 3 at Bonnybridge PS celebrate their global storyline interdisciplinary learning.… Read more
Grand Space Library opening at Wallacestone PS!
Primary 5E and Primary 5D at Wallacestone PS have been working together to develop their enterprising learning. On Friday 6th February the children and their teachers… Read more
Deanburn Celebrates Global Citizenship Learning
Pupils, parents and staff from primary 2, 3, 4 and 6 at Deanburn Primary School celebrated more successful learning on Thursday 29th January. Liz Stephens,… Read more
Graeme High School S2 Holocaust Project
S 2 pupils at Graeme HS in Falkirk took part in an emotive interdiscplinary experience which deepened their understanding of the Holocaust in a very real… Read more
Primary 5H Use Music to Improve their Writing
Emma Holmes (probationer teacher at Carron PS) and her primary 5 pupils have been using music to help them develop their reading and writing skills.… Read more
Interdisciplinary Learning at Falkirk High school
Yvonne McBlain was pleased to be able to meet with teachers from Falkirk HS to explore how they have been developing interdisciplinary learning across the school.… Read more
Deanburn Primary 6F learn about the Jacobites
On Friday 12th December, Yvonne McBlain visited primary 6F at Deanburn PS to find out about their Jacobites interdisciplinary learning. Robyn, Findlay, Cara, and Aiden… Read more
Titanic Disaster at Deanburn PS
On Friday 12th December, Yvonne McBlain visited Deanburn PS to hear all about the Titanic storyline topic which primary 6/5C have been working on. Hollie,… Read more
Our Crop, our Land Storyline at Wallacestone PS
All four Primary 1 classes at Wallacestone Primary School shared and celebrated their Our crop, Our land storyline at the end of November 2014. The photo… Read more
More Interdisciplinary Maths at Falkirk HS
Martin Opgaard and Stuart Pearson, maths teachers at Falkirk HS are developing maths and numeracy across learning in various ways with colleagues in their school.… Read more
S5 Interdisciplinary Maths at Falkirk High School
Martin Opgaard and Stuart Pearson, maths teachers at Falkirk HS are developing maths and numeracy across learning in various ways with colleagues in their school.… Read more
Daily 5 and Cafe at Wallacestone Primary School.
On Wednesday 26th November Yvonne McBlain visited primary 7D at Wallacestone PS to hear what the pupils think of using Daily 5 and Cafe to… Read more
Global Storyline develops at Carron PS
Heather Nicol and her primary 6 class at Carron PS in Falkirk, are working on the Global Storyline project “Our Crop, Our Land” created by WOSDEC. Click… Read more
Inference the Interdisciplinary Way!
Ewan Shanks, P7 class teacher at Carron PS has been developing his pupils’ understanding of inference by linking literacy and art. Ewan explored and built… Read more
S1 Curriculum Enhancement Course
Fiona Malcolm, Faculty Head of Social Subjects and RMPS at Braes HS worked with colleagues to create a new course for S1 pupils which is… Read more
S2 IDL at Braes High School
Fiona Malcolm, Faculty Head of Social Subjects and RMPS at Braes HS worked with a range of colleagues to create an interdisciplinary unit of work… Read more
STEM support materials for Interdisciplinary Learning
STEM Central is a very rich source of support materials for discrete and interdisciplinary learning which develops understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Click here… Read more
Senior Interdisciplinary Learning Partnership
In early September 2014, Yvonne McBlain of Falkirk Council Education Services met with Alan Christie, Community Engagement Manager and his colleague David Love of Falkirk Council Housing… Read more
What is interdisciplinary learning?
Education Scotland states that interdisciplinary learning: “enables teachers and learners to make connections across learning through exploring clear and relevant links across the curriculum. It supports… Read more
Graeme HS Meta Literacy Event
On 18th June 2014, Graeme High School staged a meta-literacy event involving subjects from each of the 8 curricular areas within Curriculum for Excellence. The… Read more
Bonnybridge PS Commonwealth Games Legacy runners up
Sarah Ritchie and colleagues from Bonnybridge PS worked with pupils to create a range of learning experiences linked to the Commonwealth Games and building on… Read more
New Education Scotland BGE Resource
Click here to view a new set of resources about life in medieval Scotland published by Education Scotland. The ‘People of Medieval Scotland’ resource materials and learning… Read more
British Council IDL Resources and Competition
The British Council have a range of education resources which may be useful sources of ideas for interdisciplinary learning linked to sustainable and international education.… Read more
Larbert Village PS Comenius Visits
Staff at Larbert Village PS have used interdisciplinary learning to prepare their pupils for their Comenius visitors during week beginning 2nd June 2014. Children have extended… Read more
Deanburn Primary School Global Storyline Celebration
On Friday 30th May, Liz Stephen and Laura Beattie of Deanburn PS celebrated the conclusion of their Giant of Thistle Mountain global citizenship storyline. They… Read more
Developing literacy skills through Storyline in Secondary School
On 23rd May, Yvonne McBlain visited Falkirk High School to see Lynne Ferguson, English teacher, and her S1 class working on their Space storyline. Lynne has… Read more
Bo’ness Schools contribute to new Kinneil Museum
On 20th May 2014, pupils from every Bo’ness school worked together to create a giant Bo’ness historical timeline. Lyndsay Lennie and Hanneke Scott van Wel facilitated sessions which… Read more
Falkirk Global Citizenship Showcase
Teachers and pupils from a range of Falkirk establishments showcased their Global Citizenship work at an event in Larbert Village Primary School on 15th May… Read more
Moray Primary School Teachers Develop Storyline Practice
Gillian Brodie, principal teacher at Moray PS, and her Raci task colleagues have been working since last session to develop staff use of the storyline approach… Read more
S3 Pupils at Bo’ness Academy Learn About Local Potteries
Following a chance conversation about Bo’ness Potteries at a meeting last session, Colin Findlay (teacher at Bo’ness Academy) and Elaine Reid (depute head and primary… Read more
St Francis Xavier RC PS host Rich Task Open Day
On 23rd March, staff and pupils at St Francis Xavier RC PS welcomed parents, guests and members of the community into their school to share their interdisciplinary… Read more
Deanburn Nursery Developing Interdisciplinary Planning
Deanburn Primary School nursery staff have been developing their approach to planning interdisciplinary learning with Yvonne McBlain, curriculum support teacher from Falkirk Education Services. They took an… Read more
Primary Art and Design Exhibition
The Falkirk Primary Schools Art & Design exhibition took place in the second week of March and was a stunning show. It was expertly hung by… Read more
Bo’ness Public PS staff develop IDL linked to local area
In March 2010, Gill Genoe, head teacher at Bo’ness Public PS, invited Yvonne McBlain, curriculum support teacher to work with her staff towards the following outcomes: All pupils… Read more
Interdisciplinary Learning at Head of Muir PS
Yvonne McBlain from Falkirk Education Service Support and Improvement team gathered some good interdisciplinary learning practice during a validation visit at Head of Muir Primary… Read more
The Global Storylines are happening now!
Fourteen Falkirk teachers are currently putting their Global Storyline training into practice by delivering their Giant of Thistle Mountain storyline. This training was delivered by colleagues… Read more
Bantaskin Primary 1 Toys Storyline
Susan Waddell and Joanne Brown of Bantaskin Primary School used the storyline approach to deliver their recent Toys interdisciplinary learning project. Earlier in the session,… Read more
Kinneil Nursery Class Try Storyline
Clare Doherty and the nursery team at Kinneil Primary used the storyline approach during January 2014 to explore aspects of Health and Well-Being, Literacy and Technology.… Read more
Bonnybridge Primary 6/7 Debate the Commonwealth
Michelle Cairns and her primary 6/7 pupils at Bonnybridge Primary School have been able to apply their debating, listening and talking skills by taking part… Read more
British Council offers Chinese New Year Education Pack
The British Council have produced an education pack for primary schools which supports study of Chinese New Year and the start of the Chinese spring… Read more
What is “Interdisciplinarity”?
Anne Pearson, Acting Head of Service for Falkirk Council Education Services found this interesting video clip (click below to view). Myra Strober of Stanford University shares her… Read more
What is good interdisciplinary teaching and learning?
The latest national guidance we have on the features of good interdisciplinary learning offers the following list: Starts with the experiences and outcomes, carefully selected… Read more
St Bernadette’s RC PS Track Coverage of the Experiences and Outcomes
Marianne Savage, principal teacher at St Bernadette’s RC PS has created Microsoft Publisher poster versions of the experiences and outcomes at first and second levels of Curriculum… Read more
Key Features of IDL Good Practice
[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/CcdLzAvF5UQ” width=”425″ height=”344″ allowfullscreen=”true” fvars=”fs=1″ /] Graeme Logan and Joanne McLauchlan of Education Scotland broadcast a Glow TV session in December 2012 which offers useful… Read more
