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Cross-curricular work offers a creative way to develop students knowledge, skills and understanding, while motivating them to learn through stimulating, interconnected topics. A project which crosses subject boundaries allows for investigations that engage children's imagination, as we saw with 'Dream Home'.
The Computing part of 'Dream Home' by Mr Burkhill
In Year 7 computing each year, our pupils enjoy a project where they design and code a 3D video game. Part of this project involves discovering what is possible in a 3D space and how to work within a virtual environment. What better way to really grasp those points than building your dream home linked to the technologically dystopian novel you’re reading in English!Â
When Mr Stoker, Head of English (Prep), approached me, it was clear immediately that ‘The Veldt’ allowed an opportunity for pupils to not only discover the tools they need to work in a virtual 3D space, but to think about the why behind their designs. This is imperative to designing any functioning system and ‘The Veldt’ allowed for that thinking to go deeper than ever.
How the 'Dream Home' project started in English by Mr Stoker
As Year 7 immersed themselves in the dystopian world of sci-fi author, Ray Bradbury, we wanted to bring the concept of futuristic homes to life. In the setting of ‘The Veldt’, the ‘Happy Life Home’ cooks, cleans and rocks to sleep the fortunate family. However, there is trouble in paradise, as the nursery decides to overstep the mark…
Through cross-curricular linking between English and Computing, pupils have been able to further demonstrate their understanding of the text with the creation of their own futuristic home that contains all manner of gizmos, tools and whacky features. The intricacy, originality and artistry involved has been astounding.
“It is tremendously satisfying when collaboration of this kind happens between pupils and departments, and we hope to continue in this vein next year!"
As well as skillful creativity, we’ve also seen fantastic collaboration between pupils. Through detailed self-evaluation followed by presentations to their partners, pupils swapped homes and ‘renovated’ each others’ creations in line with their partner’s wishes. This was a real test of clear communication, careful editing and reasoned justification. The results reflected the maturity, empathy and care involved in the ‘renovation’ process. It is tremendously satisfying when collaboration of this kind happens between pupils and departments, and we hope to continue in this vein next year!
