Module 2- TASK ONE: Curriculum Design

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well and making good progress with their blogs! I wanted to blog as I went through the articles and "food for thought" questions.

After I read Beyond the Lesson by Applebee I first thought about: Why do we need to consider curriculum? I really like in the article how Applebee breaks down though processes. So, think about writing. We all love to write and read others writings, but when we are teaching writing there needs to be some type of framework in which is followed. Which applies when thinking about any area: reading, math, social studies, science... That's when you start to answer the question, why do we need to consider curriculum? As educators there needs to be a purpose behind what we are doing and why we are doing it. We need a framework to follow (standards and indicators) and guidelines need to be established so that we are accountable at our individual levels. Accountable because we want our students to be prepared for the next step. So as we consider curriculum we start to analyze lists, documents, studies, and so forth to ensure that we are teaching our students what they need to establish the frame work, repetition, teach, reteach, so that they are give the tools they need to be successful as they journey from one level to the next.

In developing curriculum we then establish a guideline that should be followed from one year to the next. We can then build on the curriculum, borrow from others, add and delete what works and does not work. As most teacher, I need a framework or plan and the curriculum is the plan that we follow to ensure that we are meeting the necessity of every area in which we teach- "Effective Conversations" in our everyday speech!

Next I thought about: What model of curriculum best fits my current role? What model I am most attracted to? and What would be my preference? I really had to think about this question and what it was asking- I am still a little hesitant in the way that I answer. When it asks what model, I kept going back to the open vs. closed conversation model. This clearly addresses how my classroom is structured. I strongly prefer the open discussion model. I am one that wants that cooperative learning to take place (being a special educator) - In saying that, I know that an open conversation setting is what I see as ideal and the most optimal learning environment. In reality, I know that is not always the case. There are times when I have to lead my classroom as a closed setting (me being the higher) and the students (being the lower). It has to be that way when we are working on key skills, that they need practice and repetition to learn and be successful in that skill. But, being a special education teacher I have the luxury of co-teaching. So I can be a part of the closed conversation in the general education classroom and then provide an open conversation in my classroom to help students relate to one another, to me as a resource, almost in terms of an open forum and relating to real work experiences.

As I stated earlier I hesitated in answering this question when talking about what model because as I mentioned I prefer the open conversation but I don't think that answers the entire question about what model I prefer. I also feel that the Episodic curriculum and from the next article by Wraga the intagrative core curriculum is a part of what I prefer and the second answer to that question or series of questions. In the episodic curriculum, I really teach according to elements being ordered and still related to the central idea and focus. Which also applies to the intagrative approach- related one subject area to another and then in turn making it meaningful for students by relating to real life experiences. So bringing that all together I love the idea and would prefer to teach in an open conversation with a episodic/intagrative core curriculum!

Finally- What is a modern curriculum and what could this look like? First let me mention that I really like the statement at the beginning of the article that reminds us that students cannot possibly learn everything that they need to before they enter into the real world. That really hits home for me- I want to teach my students so much and as we all know in such little time. But, I must remind myself that it's about quality and not quantity and I only have these students for one year ( I am one year of their educational success) and that I teach with wonderful colleagues that will instill that in them from my year to their next and so forth! So what do I think modern curriculum could look like? "Knowledge is power"- modern curriculum asks students who they are and who they want to be. Modern curriculum is hands on work of knowledge that can produce students who want to learn and form their own opinion and conversations. I think that modern curriculum could one day look like a "ideal classroom"- A classroom that invites open communication, past experiences, hands on activities that create optimal learning of new skills, in an episodic manner that allows purpose and meaning behind what is a students "Core curriculum"-