Different Ways to Address the

Cross-Curricular Competencies

Although the idea of cross-curricular competency may

seem new, it corresponds to the practices already used by many teachers and other educators to encourage their students to draw on their cognitive, social and emotional resources in order to integrate knowledge better. In this sense, the cross-curricular competencies are not really a new feature of the curriculum, but rather a set of guidelines that make it easier to identify important dimensions of learning that should be used and worked on in all the subject areas and in the broad areas of learning and, as such, should not constitute the focus of students’ work, in isolation from any program content. They are thus a joint responsibility; their development requires the concerted effort of all members of the educational community. They must also be a focus of learning, because they cannot be developed unless they are intentionally called upon, and students realize that they have learned something and can reflect on their learning process.