We have spend so much time at my school working on developing a curriculum but I don't feel like we have made enough progress. Having said that however, I have to admit that I think my students now know more when I get them and are better thinkers. I think there is more to learning than just a curriculum and WHAT you teach. I think it also matters HOW you teach but that isn't as far a I know, part of the curriculum.
I also think there really needs to be more thought and/or action on the implementation of the curriculum. It matters that the students are exposed to material that they don't have to master at an early as well as any age. I deal with math so that is what I always think about. If younger students heard the word variable and the teacher referenced that word with out any pressure, I think it would be easier for older students to accept it. I feel the same way about basic fractions. Many of my students don't have any number sense when it come to fractions but I wonder if they had heard the words and seen how they fit together at younger ages it might be easier for them.
We had a discussion in my math class about number sense and common sense. We agreed that it is necessary but cannot be taught. It must be experienced. I think that is what is so great about the newer math series. They give the students experiences. Is that in the curriculum or is it in the teacher or materials used?
I guess my final thoughts are some questions. Is a curriculum an easily definable thing? Does it look the same in every school? Is the the curriculum or the implementation that matters the most?
I liked your blog, it was very interesting. You are right that it's not just the curriculum that needs to improve, but the teacher must as well. I met many math and science teachers in my life who where very educated and qualified, but didn't have the ability to deliver the information to students effectively. Therefore I agree that the teacher should also improve and learn new models of teaching.
ReplyDeleteAnd is the math curriculum more specific than the curriculum of other subjects. Is it more heavily into a strict scope and sequence?
ReplyDeleteI like your questions too...Is the the curriculum or the implementation that matters the most?
What do you think everyone...is it what is written down or how it is implemented that is most important?
I think the math curriculum is more specific in some ways but we can choose how to teach what we teach and to a certain extent when to teach each unit. I do think the implementation matters the most as if not done in a memorable way the objectives won't be remembered.
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