Approaches to Curriculum Design

What did you learn in your elementary education?

What do you teach?

Approaches to Curriculum DesignSubject-Centered ApproachSubject-Centered Approach

Anchored on the curriculum design whichprescribes different and separate subjects intoone broad field, this approach considers thefollowing assumptions:Subject-Centered Approach3 The primary focus is the subject matter. The emphasis is on bits and pieces of information which are detached from life. The continuing pursuit of learning outside the school is not emphasized. Learning should only take place inside the classroom. The subject matter serves as a means of identifying problems in living.This approach considers the following assumptions: 4quickinterestingcolorfultalkativescaredsmellymagicalindustrioussensitiveActivity:Assign-Study-Recite-TestVisual-SpatialVerbal-LinguisticLogical-MathematicalMusical-RhythmicNaturalistBodily-KinestheticIntrapersonalInterpersonalTypes:Subject ApproachEmphasis is on the knowledge, content or the human intellect.traditional, textbook-oriented, teacher-centered Activities: lecture, memorization, recitation, and large group discussionDiscipline ApproachSimilar with the subject approach as it is content-based, but focused on one disciplineStudents involvement in achieving knowledge through: dialogue, argumentation, investigation

Broad Field Approach/ Interdisciplinary Approachintegration of logical contentwidespread in the K-12 curriculumuses the thematic approach: finding a unifying theme or idea among the different areasbuilds on a holistic curriculumThe Integrated Unit Design is an example of thematic teaching. This model identifies a major concept with topics from the different subjects webbed around the theme. Below are steps for the Integrated Unit Design (thematic based):1.Decide on a unit theme that will allow all group members to enter the integrationprocess.2.Identify amajor concept to serve as asuitable integratinglensfor the study.3.Web the topicsfor study, by subjector learningarea, around theconcept and theme.

Thematic Teaching4.Brainstorm some ofthe essentialunderstandings(generalizations) thatyou would expect learners to derive from the study.5.Brainstorm essential questionsto facilitate study toward the essential understandings.6.List processes (complex performance) and bullet key skills to be emphasized in a unit of instruction and activities.7. For each week and discipline in the unit, write instructional activities to engage learners with essential questions and processes.8.Write the culminating performance to show the depth of learning.

Correlation ApproachSeparate entities or identities are linked together while still maintaining their identities.Classes are to be scheduled in a block of time.Subjects correlated: Science and Math, Science and English, Filipino and Social Studies

Process ApproachFocus is given on the application of subject matter or how to think (learning how to learn)Barry Beyers 3-Key Thinking Strategies:Problem solvingDecision makingConceptualizingThree Letters from Teddy What did you learn in your elementary education?

What do you teach?