2. Improving Curriculum

3. What is a Curriculum?

4. 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.

5. Components of a Plan Statement of Purpose
Key Result Areas (Core Values)
Goals and Objectives
Strategies (with timelines)
Implementation/evaluation Process

6. Components of a Curriculum
Statement of Purpose
Core Concepts
Goals and Objectives
Strategies and Timelines
Methods and Materials
Scope and Sequence

7. Plan and Curriculum Statement of Purpose
Key Result Areas (Core Values)
Goals and Objectives
Strategies (with timelines)
Implementation/evaluation Process
Statement of Purpose
Core Concepts
Goals and Objectives
Strategies and Timelines
Methods and Materials
Scope and Sequence

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

9. Three Facets of Curriculum
Explicit Curriculum
Implicit Curriculum
Null Curriculum

10. 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?”

11. The Biblical Worldview
Christian 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?

12. 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.

13. The Curriculum Map
A graphic representation of the school-year which describes what you will do and when
This is very general and shows general topics.

14. The Unit Plan
This is a fairly detailed chart or outline describing the content, activities, materials and resources in an instructional unit
What is an instructional unit?

15. The Lesson Plan
A detailed plan for a single lesson, usually minutes long depending on the level of the students.
Lesson vs. Activity

17. Internal Influences on Curriculum
The Government
The Accrediting Body
The Board
The Administration
The Teacher
The Students

18. External Influences on Curriculum
Parents
The Local Community
Business
Interest Groups
The Media

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

20. Developing the Curriculum
This is Really a Review / Revision Process

21. Five Steps
Step 1. Record What You are Doing

22. Five Steps Record What You are Doing Step 2. Evaluate It Internally
Omissions and Redundancies
Obvious Additions and Corrections

23. Five Steps Record What You are Doing Evaluate It Internally
Omissions and Redundancies
Obvious Additions and Corrections
Step 3. Compare To Other Models or Plans

24. Five Steps Record What You are Doing Evaluate It Internally
Omissions and Redundancies
Obvious Additions and Corrections
Compare To Other Models or Plans
Step 4. Do a Major Revision as Needed

25. Five Steps Record What You are Doing Evaluate It Internally
Omissions and Redundancies
Obvious Additions and Corrections
Compare To Other Models or Plans
Do a Major Revision as Needed
Step 5. Create an Ongoing Evaluation / Review Process.