My Curriculum & Instruction HandbookDan GutterudEd 6334 July2009Bemidji State UniversityImage from http://www.sxc.hu

What is your focus? "To have taught well is not to have used a great set of techniques or given the learner some words to give back, but to have caused understanding through words, activities, tools, guided reflection, the learner's efforts, and feedback”(McTighe & Wiggins, 2005).Image from www.flickr.com

Curriculum Definition & Approach “A curriculum can be defined as the planned educational experiences offered by a school which can take place anywhere at any time in the multiple context of the school, e.g. public schools as caring communities”(Todd, 1965).Image from www.sxc.hu

Paulo Freire “Students, as they are increasingly posed with problems relating to themselves in the world and with the world, will feel increasingly challenged and obliged to respond to that challenge”(Freire, 1989). Image from www.sxc.hu

NelNoddings “At the present time, it is obvious that our main educational purpose is not the moral one of producing caring people but a relentless—and, as it turns out, hapless—drive for academic adequacy”(Diessner& Simmons, 2000).Image from www.sxc.hu

The Road to SuccessInstruct using Best Practices for MathematicsDesign instruction using the principles of Understanding by Design by Wiggins & McTigheFollow the NCTM & State of MN StandardsCreate an atmosphere for critical thinkingInvolve parents in the education of their childrenImage from www.sxc.hu

Best Practicesin Mathematics(from Daniels, Hyde, Zemelman, 2005)Image from www.flickr.com

13 Practices to IncreaseQuestioning and making conjecturesJustification of thinking Being a facilitator of learning Develop problem solving strategies (especiallyrepresentational strategies)Use open-ended problems & extendedproblem solving projectsStudents create one’s own representationsJustifying answers and solution processesImage from www.sxc.hu

13 Practices to IncreaseConnecting mathematics to other subjects and to the real worldDeveloping number and operation sense Thinking strategies for basic facts Actual measuring and exploring the concepts related to units of measureUsing statistical methods to describe, analyze, evaluate, and make decisionsUsing multiple assessment techniques, including written, oral, and demonstration formatsImage from www.sxc.hu

13 Practices to DecreaseSingle answers and single methods to find answersStressing memorization instead of understandingBeing the dispenser of knowledgePracticing routine, one step problemsCopying conventional representations without understandingReliance on a few representationsRelying on authorities (teacher, answer key) Image from www.sxc.hu

13 Practices to DecreaseDeveloping skills out of contextMemorizing rules and procedures without understandingMemorizing equivalencies between units of measureMemorizing formulas Memorizing procedures Having assessment be simply counting correct answers on tests for the sole purpose of assigning gradesImage from www.sxc.hu

Understanding by DesignPlan units that focus on understandingExplain common practices that often get in the way of understanding.Use a backward design process to avoid common problems.The goal of this approach is to engage students in inquiry & uncovering ideas.Follows design standards to achieve quality control in curriculum & assessment designs.Image from http://www.sxc.hu

The Standards Follow the NCTM & the state of MN Standards. The state standards are requirements.NCTM standards are more in line with the best practices in Mathematics. Pay special attention to the process standards.Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Critical ThinkingMy top 5 ways to develop more critical thinking:Think of myself as a coachEncourage students to think about their thinkingModel skilled thinking for my studentsRelate content whenever possible to issues and problems and practical situations in the lives of your students.Design assessments with the improvement of student thinking in mind (from Elder & Paul, 2002)Image courtesy of www.criticalthinking.org

Involve Parents “Research shows that students with involved parents—regardless of their background or income level—reap a bevy of benefits, including attending school regularly, enrolling in more advanced classes, getting better grades, graduating from high school, and pursuing post-secondary education” (Be Strategic, 2003).Communicate with parents and bring them into the classroom.Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Methods to communicate with parentswebpagecalls homeprogress reportsnewsletterconferencessurveysbloge-mailImage from http://www.sxc.hu

ConclusionsBest practice fits well in most approaches in education and those described in this course. Best practice addresses the concerns of Paulo Freire in challenging students and encouraging teachers as facilitators.Best practice addresses the concerns of NelNoddings in keeping the needs of students in focus. Best practice will lead to greater success in NCLB due to the streamlining of teaching methods and assessments.

Whose knowledge is of most worth?

Our students!

Visit my links by going to my wiki athttp://room13allstars.pbworks.comImage from http://www.sxc.hu

ReferencesBe strategic to boost family involvement. (2003, December). District Administration, Retrieved November 5, 2007, from ContentSelectResearch Navigator database.Daniels, H., Hyde, A., & Zemelman, S. (2005). Best practices: Today’s standards for teaching & learning in America’s schools (3rd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.Diessner, R. & Simmons, S. (2001). Sources: Notable selections in educational psychology (1st ed.). Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin.Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2002). How to improve student learning: 30 practical ideas. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation of Critical Thinking.Freire, P. (1989). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Continuum. McTighe, J. & Wiggins, G. (2005). Understanding by design (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Development.Todd, E.A. (1965). Curriculum development and instructional planning. Nederland, TX: Nederland Ind. School District.