Improving Curriculum

What is a Curriculum?

Curriculum as a Plan for Teaching and Learning

Sometimes this plan comes “down from above.”A good plan is a living document that gets adjusted for unplanned events and influences.In creating a plan we attempt to account for local variables.Implicit and Null Curricula can be anticipated in a well-conceived plan.

Components of a Plan

Statement of PurposeKey Result Areas (Core Values)Goals and ObjectivesStrategies (with timelines)Implementation/evaluation Process

Components of a Curriculum

Statement of PurposeCore ConceptsGoals and ObjectivesStrategies and TimelinesMethods and Materials Scope and Sequence

Plan and Curriculum

Statement of PurposeKey Result Areas (Core Values)Goals and ObjectivesStrategies (with timelines)Implementation/evaluation Process

Statement of PurposeCore ConceptsGoals and ObjectivesStrategies and TimelinesMethods and Materials Scope and Sequence

What Curriculum is Not

Not books and MaterialsNot Only What is WrittenNot a Simple System of Input / Process / Output as Some Have Suggested.Not Always Obvious to the Teacher or the Learner

Three Facets of Curriculum

Explicit CurriculumImplicit CurriculumNull Curriculum

Philosophical Influences on Curriculum

Every Curriculum is developed in light of an educational philosophy or worldview.Examples include: Humanism, Behaviorism, Social Reconstructionism, and (of course) Biblical Worldview.Each of these must ask, “What is the ultimate purpose of schooling?”

The Biblical WorldviewChristian educators must be very reflective about how our worldview influences our curriculum.Bible isn’t just a separate class. It describes a worldview which should permeate all classes.How does this work?How do we reconcile it with mandated curriculum?How do we prepare to teach biblically?

The Curriculum

Each school or school system should have a written curriculum which is based on the things which are both mandated and selected locally.New teachers should be given a curriculum guide.From the curriculum guide you will develop maps, units, and lessons.

The Curriculum Map

A graphic representation of the school-year which describes what you will do and whenThis is very general and shows general topics.

The Unit Plan

This is a fairly detailed chart or outline describing the content, activities, materials and resources in an instructional unitWhat is an instructional unit?

The Lesson Plan

A detailed plan for a single lesson, usually 20-50 minutes long depending on the level of the students.Lesson vs. Activity

Internal Influences on Curriculum

The GovernmentThe Accrediting BodyThe BoardThe AdministrationThe TeacherThe Students

External Influences on Curriculum

ParentsThe Local CommunityBusinessInterest GroupsThe Media

Your Local Curriculum

Divided up by grade and or subject as “curriculum guides”Contains a “Scope and Sequence” chart for each subject.

Developing the CurriculumThis is Really a Review / Revision Process

Five StepsStep 1. Record What You are Doing

Five StepsRecord What You are DoingStep 2. Evaluate It Internally

Omissions and RedundanciesObvious Additions and Corrections

Five StepsRecord What You are DoingEvaluate It Internally

Omissions and RedundanciesObvious Additions and Corrections

Step 3. Compare To Other Models or Plans

Five StepsRecord What You are DoingEvaluate It Internally

Omissions and RedundanciesObvious Additions and Corrections

Compare To Other Models or PlansStep 4. Do a Major Revision as Needed

Five StepsRecord What You are DoingEvaluate It Internally

Omissions and RedundanciesObvious Additions and Corrections

Compare To Other Models or PlansDo a Major Revision as NeededStep 5. Create an Ongoing Evaluation / Review Process.