I think when most teachers think about curriculum and why we need to consider it, the answer “it is what our school requires” that comes to mind. I think we all would like to have our own input into what curriculum is and what needs to be taught but it usually happens that curriculum is something that is given to us by the school, state, or someone above, and we work with it. This is part of being a teacher, we can work with what we are given and I feel that it at least gives us a direction in which we need to go. I am a special education teacher so I do not have a specific area of content that I went to college to teacher nor do I teach a specific content, I teach a little of everything. Through my 4 years of teaching experience I have learned that curriculum is what keeps us on track and allows us to teach the specific content in a specific alignment. I have learned that curriculum is not only what the state or the school requires of teachers but it is what keeps us as teachers on track. This is also what I learned in the articles we read. We have a framework that keeps us accountable for our own actions and for our student’s actions. Considering curriculum allows us to be sure we are giving each of our students what they need in order to learn the material that is necessary that grade level. As a teacher of a particular grade or subject we are responsible to make sure that students learn the material they need to move on to the next grade level. We teach the curriculum and help each student get to the point that they can move on to a new teacher or grade and they can pick up where we left of, and the student continues in the learning process.
I would say subject centered curriculum is what we most closely follow. We focus on core content and are sure to teach each of the specific goals and content areas that are aligned with our grade and subject. Due to being a special education teacher, I teach multiple subject areas. I meet with all grade level teams and all subject teams to ensure that I have all of the information on all of the grades and subjects that I teach. We closely follow the core content standards and I think this is a great way to ensure we cover the correct material at each grade level. We are able to align the curriculum and content and be sure to set goals and standards to meet each area required.
I think modern curriculum seems as it would benefit students that need closer attention to specific areas or students that are struggling in areas. This would benefit teachers that teach children who may need some special attention or a closer look at specific lessons, teaching methods or subject matter. As a special education teacher some of this curriculum seems that it would benefit my class, students and teaching methods due to the areas that my students may struggle with.
I think that overall curriculum is very beneficial. It is a great way to hold all students, teachers and schools accountable for the subject matter that needs to be taught. As a teacher, I would love to be able to have more input on the curriculum but do understand that there is a reason for the methods used and as a school we do benefit from all following the curriculum and ensuring that our student receive the best education they can.
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Yes if we do not follow the curriculum given then we are only hurting our students. Do you feel that their are teachers in your school who do not follow the curriculum? We all have Core Content we are responsible for and in our district we have curriculum maps but do you feel that their are teachers who stray from that and teach what they want and see fit? How is that helping our students. I believe we have had teachers like that in our school in the past and even as recent as last year. We have to be acountable as you said. We hold our students acountable and we need to be accountable for using the curriculum to teach CC/program of studies. I guess it made me think how frustrating it can be when there are teachers out there who do not take it seriously so to speak. It really got me when you said it is a great way to hold all accountable for what needs to be taught.
ReplyDeleteGreat point on Lindsay's post about fidelity to the curriculum amongst all teachers. I am sure Lindsay that as a special educator you see a wide range of teachers who adhere to the curriculum in different ways. But is this OK? Jodie mentioned that if a teacher is not subscribing to the curriculum that it can hurt the whole school. That might be true but do we leave room for individuality. Some teachers might be stronger in one area than another. How could we account for that? You mentioned curriculum being a guideline--but how closely should we/do we follow it?
ReplyDeleteHeidi - You have some great points when it comes to curriculum! I really can relate also being a special education teacher. As I read your post and the follow up comments, it was asked do you feel that there are people who do not follow curriculum? I would love to hear what you have to say, but in the mean time I thought that I would comment on this as well. Being a special education teacher, we do get to see a variety of teaching styles and methods. Being a special education teacher who has had the experience of working in a couple of different school- Yes, there are teachers out there who do not follow curriculum. They feel that the way that they have been doing it for years is best and they are not willing to try it any other way. This mind frame is not something that is beneficial for our students because we are suppose to be setting up a frame that allows them to gain the skills the need that year to be successful the next. I must say though, one the above comments on following the curriculum to some extent and supplementing their own stuff along the way- I don't think that there is anything wrong with this style- It does usually create effective and meaningful learning. Would you agree with this?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and have a couple of questions. When do you find the time to meet with all your subject areas? Do you have a common planning time or set up times after school with each content teacher? I know we have a very difficult time scheduling a time that is feasible for each group when adding other school related responsiblities.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do agree that curriculum is away to keeping teacher on track. With high stakes testing and accountability the curriculum is guide for what students need to understand and have the ability to apply.
I also teach a little bit of everything as a collaborative teacher. It is difficult the first several years as you learn the curriculum for a whole grade level, and it forces you to rely on your team teacher to lead.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you view the modern curriculum. I did not see that it could be used as a method for remediation and exploration. I see how the students can use this method to learn more about a topic and find their own perspective of learning. Thanks for a new point of view.