"Instead of a national curriculum, what we need is a curriculum for every child." -Charles Handy
What is the purpose of curriculum and what role do we have as teachers in this purpose?
The role of curriculum... in a way, I've never been more confused. I came into this module thinking that curriculum is a straightforward blueprint or plan of a student's educational path. However, as I read and contemplate the various ideas, I'm beginning to think that in addition to curriculum being a blueprint, it is a way for teachers to understand and learn about what they are teaching. If we don't understand and internalize what we are teaching, how can we expect the students to do the same? If we aren't having fun teaching it, how can we expect the students to have fun learning it? It is a teacher's job to be the instigator, the facilitator, the team member, a question asker, philosopher, and expert of the subject.
How much control do we have in the designing of the curriculum? How much should we have?
I believe that teacher's have a minimal amount of control when designing the curriculum. We have a limited ability to voice our opinions about what we teach (In Kentucky, teachers follow Core Content and the Program of studies.). These standards, which vary by state, are a "map" for us to follow in our teaching. However, at each school in our county, we are allowed to create a grade level curriculum (Amidst rumors that a mandated county wide curriculum is in the works.) and teach it in the order that we would see fits best, as long as it aligns with the core content and program of studies mandated by the state of Kentucky. I fear that a tightly controlled curriculum would take much of the creativity out of teaching is the district tells you that on day 17 you are to be teaching lesson 6a. What happens if the students don't get it? Are you allowed to reteach? Are teachable moments permitted such as when the class butterfly hatches from it's chrysalis? Isn't it about creating those life experiences... I don't think that would be found in lesson 6a.
How does the curriculum that you have look like in your classrooms in a day to day environment?
At the beginning of each semester, my kindergarten team sits down to map out a skeleton plan of the months ahead. Although we don't plan verbatim, we discuss where we think we should be around each time of the year. For example, around Thanksgiving, we plan on using the old French tale, Stone Soup to discuss the art of giving and sharing with those around us. Since most of our curriculum is integrated due to a three hour day, there is really little chance to have time slots to have a reading hour or math hour, let alone science or social studies. My classroom reflects the curriculum, but does not follow it verbatim. I use a checklist in my planning to make sure that all curriculum that has been mandated is being covered.
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First, I love that you have picked up that curriculum is confusing and not as straight forward as we wish it would be. I am reminded of another classmate's post about dis-equalibrium in learning- I think that you have hit on that in your first response. That leads me to your fear of a national curriculum- I have read about this too and share similar concerns. I do think that high expectations are important but also worry that with such a diverse country that we would be doing a disservice to all of our students if we tried to have one curriuclum. I think about Leman's students and those foreign language teachers who have such a diverse group and different needs. I think one thing that makes our country great is that diversity of perspectives, styles, bodies of information-=would that get lost? That is why I think teachers need to be involved in these types of conversations--the stakes are pretty high in my mind.
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