In this section you will find examples of combined units showing why and how teachers have changed units, and the teachers’ thoughts on how this improved children's learning.

Key stage 1

In A material world, the complementary knowledge and understanding of materials and the common skills of investigation helped children to connect learning in art and design (unit 1b) and science (unit 1c).

In Beside the seaside, a visit to the seaside and the use of common source materials enabled children to understand some of the connections between history (unit 3) and geography (unit 4).

In Who lives in a place like this?, an investigation of the local environment and local habitats allowed children to connect ideas and knowledge and to use common enquiry skills in geography (unit 1) and science (unit 2b).

Key stage 2

In A seat for someone special, the common focus of designing an everyday object gave teachers the opportunity to connect children’s learning in design and technology (unit 3d) with art and design (unit 4b).

In Water, water, everywhere!,children's knowledge and understanding of water and its supply in geography (unit 11) and their investigations of solubility and water cleanliness in science (unit 6c) provided mutual reinforcement and a more coherent view of the complexities of water supply.

In Target health, children's learning about how the body works in science (unit 5a) was applied in the real-life context of athletic activities (physical education, unit 3).

In Olympic action, children's study of the Olympics and the art of ancient Greece in history (parts of units 14 and 15) offered opportunities to connect with art and design work on the theme of people in action (unit 6a).

In Allons à La Réunion, children learnt about a place that contrasts with the local area in geography (units 13 and 22), which provided opportunities to learn a modern foreign language and use French vocabulary and structures (unit 12).

In Weaving poems, Longfellow's poem Hiawatha provided a stimulus for children's poetry in English and weaving in art and design (unit 5c).