When strategically integrating applicable TEKS into a social studies course (LOTE, ELAR, CTE, & Fine Arts), Texas Workforce Readiness can be supported. These TEKS add depth, relevance, and make learning hands-on and fun. The diagram below illustrates what measurable skills are supported through cross-curricular instruction in social studies. This reinforces what students learn in other courses through application in social studies.

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By integrating CTE TEKS into social studies, students do simulated work-based learning (SWBL) tasks in the projects themselves. Not only do they practice communication, collaboration, leadership, and other soft skills, but they can engage with the content through workplace simulations, such as mock job interviews and professional presentations. These tasks can be scaffolded through Gradual Release of Responsibility (I do, we do, you do). 
 

Assessment: (coming soon)

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Why Creativity?

• Creativity is one of the most sought-after skills (creativity for innovative purposes).

• Multi-sensory learning through AIL

• Encourages students to think independently, use emotional intelligence, and not rely on AI.

• Developed through arts-integrated learning (AIL) — must be content-driven and supporting targeted TEKS for deeper learning (process from divergent to convergent thinking but still driven by a TEKS based question). It is not art for art's sake. It is purpose driven.

• At the peak of Bloom’s Taxonomy (create).

• Involves:

  • Process of risk-taking, ambiguity, interdisciplinary thinking resulting in something new and useful. 

• Promotes emotional engagement and intrinsic motivation.

• Engages brain processes and mind–body connections (learning through doing).​

• Results in work that is both original and innovative (useful).

• Builds student confidence as creators and problem-solvers.

• students get a choice on medium 

• Measured through:

  • Observation of flow state

  • Pre/post content knowledge assessments

  • Student surveys

  • Fine Arts TEKS-aligned rubrics

• Supports other modes of communication:

  • Visual art products

  • Creative writing

  • Theatre/performance

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Students learn cultural awareness through the social studies TEKS. When integrating LOTE and ELAR TEKS through scaffolding, students achieve cultural understanding and higher order thinking through critical engagement with culturally authentic art, music, literature, and artifacts - just as they do in courses that teach world languages and literatures. A deeper understanding of how cultural values influence people’s behaviors and decision-making equips students to work with diverse clients, teams, and markets – a key skill in today’s Texas economy.

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Assessment: (coming soon)

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Texas is deeply connected to the global economy. When integrating cultural understanding skills (LOTE TEKS) and employability skills (CTE TEKS) into social studies (e.g. World Geography & World History), students begin developing a Texas/Global Workforce skillset while making connections with high-demand Texas careers. This integrated learning helps them build, expand, and reinforce their knowledge of social studies through the skills of critical thinking and problem-solving of how world issues affect diverse communities and what it means for these same issues in Texas. In other words, through a PBL framework, students inquire how different communities deal with specific challenges (e.g., water scarcity), to apply globally informed solutions for Texas. In doing so, students explore targeted, high-demand job sectors in Texas that address these problems. The intersection of these TEKS can create in-depth, relevant PBL lessons that begin students on their career path. The final products of their projects can be presented in a professional academic setting as poster presentations.
 

The PBL Works Gold Standard model can be used here (model below was generated by AI).

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Assessment: (coming soon)

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