Which practice aligns with connecting topics within and across disciplines?

• A. Teach topics in isolation.
• B. Avoid linking ideas from different subjects.
• C. Routinely make connections among topics, concepts and understandings within and across disciplines.
• D. Focus only on standardized content.

Answer: (C)

Connecting topics within and across disciplines is about showing students how ideas from different areas fit together and build bigger understandings. When teachers routinely make these connections, learners see patterns and big ideas rather than isolated facts, which helps them transfer what they know to new situations and apply it in real life.

In practice, this means designing learning experiences where a concept—like systems, change, or cause and effect—is explored through multiple subjects. For example, students might read about a scientific topic, collect data, and then explain their findings in writing, while also analyzing related math data or a historical context. This approach makes learning more coherent and meaningful, and it gives students multiple ways to demonstrate their understanding.

Choosing to teach topics in isolation limits the natural links students can make, avoiding linking ideas from different subjects prevents transfer, and focusing only on standardized content can narrow the scope for exploring deeper understanding and real-world problem solving.