We need to consider curriculum because it is the foundation that decides what teachers need to teach and what students need to learn. Being a newer teacher, I find myself constantly referring to my curriculum maps in order to make sure that I am covering all the material that I am responsible for. Curriculum maps help keep educators focused and provide a timeline. Do I panic every year feeling that there is not enough hours in the day, or enough days in a school year for my students to possibly learn everything that is expected? Absolutely!
What model of curriculum do you feel best fits your current role? What model are you most attracted to? What would be your preference?
The model that best fits my current role is probably the episodic curriculum. I teach most subjects in a sequential order, but also try to build on previously taught material. The model that I am most attracted to and prefer though would be the integrated curriculum. I like that this model builds on the episodic curriculum but gives opportunity for redirection in the light of learning new ideas.
Wiggins talks about the need for "modern" curriculum-what could this look like? Do you buy that we need a new approach to curriculum?
I think in a modern curriculum students learn to become thinkers, if you will. What I mean by that is that students will constantly be thinking about what they are learning and question it. Does it make sense? Is it from a reliable source? How does it apply to my life? In this type of curriculum it is a students right to ask such questions without fear. I do buy that we need a new approach to curriculum. The hard part is deciding on the best way to develop it. I think the even harder realization is that there is not going to be one set curriculum. It will need to be changed frequently just as the world around us changes.
