...and how you can use this powerful novel to inspire your own class.

While some schools have been leaning away from the use of whole class novels, others are recognizing the power a whole class novel offers regarding engagement and retention.

Still, even teachers who are given the freedom to utilize whole class novels with their students may find themselves wondering which novels to choose. What books should teachers be teaching? When selecting whole class novels, remember to use books that have relatable characters, are at the right reading level, include an exciting plot, and provide multiple opportunities to reach your educational standards.

Many schools are challenging teachers to connect the curriculum. There are several benefits to curriculum integration. The scholarly article, "Curriculum Integration: An Overview" by Amanda Wall and Alisa Leckie suggests that an integrated approach to content instruction supports Gardner's multiple intelligences, Dewey's constructivism, and even Wiggins & McTighe's essential questions and enduring understandings. In fact, Wall and Leckie argue that subject integration supports students’ social and emotional development. Curriculum integration allows students to connect learning to themselves, what they read, and the world around them. It checks all the boxes.

But how? How do teachers connect across the curriculum? Are there specific ways to make cross-curricular connections? How can educators incorporate science and social studies into their literary studies? How do you integrate different types of curriculum to maximize student learning? 

Seize opportunities!

Teachers can connect across the curriculum simply by looking for opportunities to do so within what they are already teaching. It is best to make cross-curricular connections as naturally as possible. Incorporating other subjects should not feel forced—and it doesn't have to! Instead, maximize student learning in an authentic way by integrating poetry with science, literary analysis with math, and informational text with historical inquiries. 

Teaching reading offers educators a powerful opportunity to reach across the curriculum and tryly engage students. Novels like Freak the Mighty provide a plethora of such opportunities. Rodman Philbrick's novel about an unlikely friendship that explores the unfairness of life supports the following cross-curricular connections:

• Science:

Freak the Mighty provides a number of avenues a teacher could explore to incorporate science within their novel study. The main characters themselves give students an opportunity to learn about health issues. Max suffers from PTSD and has a learning disability, opening the door to further study of trauma and its impact on the mind, self-confidence and its connection to perceived ability to learn, repressed memory, and the cycle of poverty and crime. Kevin's disability, Morquio syndrome, fosters an exploration of birth defects, genius minds, bionics, and medical procedures.  Use Freak the Mighty to spark curiosity in your students. 

• History:

Educator Karlene McGowen uses the novel Freak the Mighty to integrate a study of medieval times and the legend of King Arthur. Not only does she use this in-depth study to build background knowledge, she also exposes her students to a time period rich with "history, stories, and life."  Freak the Mighty can help bring history to life.

• Social-Emotional Learning:

Not only is Freak the Mighty a book that teaches an important lesson and shares a life-changing theme, it is also the kind of novel that asks its readers to look deeper within themselves. Have I been kind to people who are different than me? Have I allowed the opinions of others to influence how I think about myself? Do I allow my limitations to hold me back? Am I missing out on amazing friendships because I judge others by how they look? Am I sticking up for what is right? Am I being a good friend? Use this novel to foster emotional and psychological growth in your students. 

Kevin, affectionately referred to as Freak throughout the novel, has a treasured dictionary that includes new and interesting words chosen especially by himself. You would be surprised how powerfully motivating Kevin's dictionary can be for students. Freak makes learning new words and sharing them with others an enjoyable challenge. Image your students using words like "unvanquished," "ornithopter," and "optimum." In our Freak the Mighty Lesson & Activity Bundle, students are asked to create a dictionary of your own and select the words they want to include. According to Edutopia, student-choice vocabulary is an excellent way to promote differentiation and put students in charge of their own learning.

The powerful novel, Freak the Mighty, checks all the boxes. It provides examples of simile, metaphore, personification, idioms, alliteration, allusion, onomatopoeia, and hyperbole. It is a wonderful—and often funny—way to help students get a better grasp on figurative language.