Empowering Learners: Using the Beane Model of Curriculum Integration – UMaine Summer Institute 2026

Move beyond subject-centered instruction and discover how to create a “negotiated curriculum” that directly addresses the personal and social concerns of learners. This hands-on workshop introduces the practical steps of James Beane’s integrative curriculum model, focusing on creating a democratic, relevant, and engaging learning environment, particularly suited for middle grades.

Curriculum Integration

Types of Curriculum Integration Boil Down to 3 Characteristics

• Themes (yes or no)
• Subject Area Boundaries (yes or no)
• Planned with Students (yes or no)

James Beane Approach to Integrated Curriculum

• Find themes at the intersection of 2 questions:
  • What are your questions and concerns about yourself?
  • What are your questions and concerns about the world?
• Plan with students how to study those themes?
• What to societal expectations and the disciplines of knowledge say about how to study those themes?
• A Middle School Curriculum: From Rhetoric to Reality

The 8-Year Study – Proving the Effectiveness of Curriculum Integration

• The Story Of The Eight-Year Study With Conclusions And Recommendations Volume I
• The Eight-Year Study: From Evaluative Research to Demonstration Project, 1930–1940
• Eight-Year Study: Purpose, Method, Results

Resources:

Successful Schools for Young Adolescents:

• The Successful Middle School: This We Believe(AMLE)
• The Middle School Model and Successful Middle School Program (AMLE)

Resources:

• Young Adolescent Development & School Practices: Promoting Harmony
• This We Believe in Action: Implementing Successful Middle Level Schools
• Meet Me in the Middle
• AMLE – Association for Middle Level Education
• MAMLE – Maine Association for Middle Level Education (NOTE: new URL!)
• NELMS – New England League of Middle Schools

Mike’s Sites:

• Mike’s Consulting: StudentLearning.Guru
• Mike’s Day Job: Principal, Maranacook Community Middle School (Readfield)
• Mike’s Blogs and Resources: https://mikemuir.us