Ridgefield Academy Introduces Interdisciplinary Week of Learning to Grades 7&8

A Look at Interdisciplinary Week at Ridgefield Academy

Ridgefield Academy’s Center for Teaching and Innovative Learning consistently strives to provide students with unique academic opportunities by regularly evaluating curriculum to ensure it is appropriately forward thinking. Basil Kolani, Director of The Center, partnered with RA’s faculty to put together an experience for its Upper School students that did just that. The idea began through discussions between Mr. Kolani and RA’s faculty about interdisciplinary connections, crossover between classes, and how to connect different subjects by studying a single topic. Further discussions explored how the idea of devoting time to a single topic taught through multiple subject areas could be brought to fruition. What resulted was RA’s first Interdisciplinary Week for Grade 7 and 8 students.

Two months were spent organizing this program in a very collaborative effort. Four topics of study were proposed by RA’s faculty – Space and Race, Culture, Civil Rights Movement, and Metropolis: New York City. Upper School students (Grades 7 and 8) self-elected into one of the four topic choices and, together with their teachers, began one week of learning and exploring through a structure very different from a traditional Upper School day. Highlights included extended periods of time to delve deep into a particular subject area, using multiple mediums to study topic, and focusing on assessments using different kinds of media.

The week proved to be highly successful. As Mr. Kolani summarized, ”At RA, we believe students take away more when they are able to link content between subject areas. This program forces this structure on them by not having as routine a day. This is the wave of what is happening in education now. We can take a more interdisciplinary approach to what is happening in the classroom so that we aren’t siloed in subjects. As a result, we start to look at deeper learning along all subject areas.” Mr. Kolani looks forward to continuing this program and expanding it to other grades so that more students can experience the opportunity.

Ridgefield Academy is a Preschool-Grade 8 independent day school located near Ridgefield, CT, serving students from Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Established in 1975, the school’s challenging academic curriculum is enriched with programs in public speaking and community service, STEM labs, athletics, performing arts, and interdisciplinary digital arts projects. Ridgefield Academy is located at 223 West Mountain Road in Ridgefield, CT. 203.894.1800/www.ridgefieldacademy.org