The document discusses the philosophical foundations of curriculum. It explores how philosophy influences curriculum workers and how different philosophical orientations like idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism differ in their views of knowledge and values. The document also examines whether schools can promote both equality and excellence, and considers which philosophical orientation may most influence the future of curriculum and which appears most contrary to mainstream education.

1. Philosophical Foundations
of Curriculum
By: Kelsey Bailey, Tonya Baldwin, and Angela Horne

2. “Our source of direction is found in our guiding philosophy…. Without
philosophy, {we make} mindless vaults into the saddle” and we have a
tendency to “ride madly off in all directions.” William Van Til
://thehrcafe.files.wordpres
s.com/2012/06/horse-
ism.jpg

3. How does philosophy influence
curriculum workers?
Allen C. Ornstein and Francis P. Hunkins writes in
Curriculum Foundations, Principles, and Issues that
“philosophy is the way we organize our thoughts and interpret
facts. It is an effort to understand life----its problems and
issues in full perspective. It involves questions and our own
point of view as well as the views of others; it involves our
defined values and clarifying our beliefs.” Therefore, since
philosophy is a reflection of our background and experiences,
curriculum workers base their decisions on worldviews,
attitudes, and their beliefs. Philosophy guides one’s action.

4. In what way is philosophy the main curriculum
source?
Watch this video titled “ To Meet the Demands of a
New Age” A 21st Century Curriculum Philosophy.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6B92pB8Wk
After watching the video, answer this question:
In what way is philosophy the main curriculum
source?
Respond at: Pollev.com/tonyabaldwin109
Text: TONYABALDWIN109 to 1-747-444-3548

5. In our opinion…
We use our philosophy and beliefs to determine the way we
approach curriculum.

6. In terms of knowledge and values, what are
the differences among idealism, realism,
pragmatism, and existentialism?
Remember we are Kindergarten teachers, so we will break this
down to our level of understanding! For us to understand the
differences we need…

7. Idealism

8. Realism

9. Pragmatism

10. Existentialism

11. The differences would be…
 Idealism and realism are subject based. However, idealism is more traditional
with its unchanging values. Realism is more focused on the way people think
and reason using their senses. The educational philosophy for idealism and
realism would be essentialism. Essentialism promotes intellectual growth of an
individual to educate the competent person. Another educational philosophy for
realism is perennialism. Perennialism aims to educate the rational person.
 Pragmatism is very scientific. It is all about a changing environment where the
teacher encourages problem solving throughout daily instruction. Progressivism
is the educational philosophy and promotes democratic social living.
 Existentialism promotes self gratification. The learning occurs when personal
choices are made on how and what to learn. Rules are viewed to stifle creativity
and personal choice. Progressivism is the educational philosophy and works to
improve and reconstruct society, to educate for change and social reform.

12. How are the
Educational
Philosophies
related to the
4 Major
Philosophies?
The chart found on page 48 of the
Curriculum Foundations,
Philosophies, and Issues text
was a little confusing.
So we broke it down to meet our
understanding.

13. Can schools promote equality and
excellence at the same time?
It is our opinion that schools hope to promote both
equality and excellence but they often fail. It is difficult to keep
a fair balance. We say everyone is created equally but do we
all learn and excel equally.
It is our desire to treat everyone the same but everyone
does not learn the same. Example: Mary can write a simple
sentence. John can finally recognize the letters in his name.
Both attended preschool and have received the same
instruction. We are proud of both!

14. Excellence in Education?

15. Our thoughts…
 Equal opportunity does not always lead to equal outcomes.
 Ornstein and Hunkins writes “Some fear that this emphasis
on excellence will lead to disappointment; they say it is wrong
to assume that increased testing and more course
requirements will automatically raise the level of student
performance. Students, teachers, and parents must also be
motivated , and technical and financial support at the school
and district level must be evidenced.”
 Students learn and excel at different rates but they are all
able to reach an excellence in their own rights.

16. Which philosophical orientation is most likely
to influence the curriculum field in the future?
Why do you think this is so?
Tina Barseghian states in Three Trends That Will Shape the
Future of Curriculum that an ”Interest-driven approach will influence the
curriculum field in the future. Why? ‘Though students typically have to
wait until their third year of college to choose what they learn, the idea of
K-12 education being tailored to students’ own interests is becoming
more commonplace. Whether it’s through Japanese manga art, Lady
Gaga, or the sport of curling, the idea is to grab students where their
interests lie and build the curriculum around it.” She goes on to say that
educators should find out what students are passionate about because
passion motivates learning.
 http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/02/04/three-trends-that-will-
shape-the-future-of-curriculum

17. Our thoughts…
We feel that in the future existentialism will influence
the curriculum field because it is trendy and offers more
freedom for students to choose how, what, and when to learn.
That does not mean we are totally in favor of this possibility.

18. Which philosophical orientation
appears most contrary to
mainstream education?
In our opinion…
Existentialism philosophy appears most contrary to
mainstream education because most public school classrooms
are over crowded, understaffed, and lack a sufficient budget to
meet the needs of this type of curriculum.
Existentialism philosophy seems to promote self-
centeredness and a lack of compassion toward others.
Existentialism allows students to make mistakes
without correcting them. Students learn through the process of
repeated attempts. Students learn through individual
exploration, constructive and creative play and or oral language
with stories and songs.
www.ecrp.uiuc.edu

19. Existentialism?
Toby Keith says it best in his song “It’s All About Me.” “I wanna
talk about me, wanna talk about I, wanna talk about #1 oh my
me my.”

20. Our Reflections
Kelsey Bailey: I learned that there are some private schools who choose
one philosophy to focus on. However, public schools need to focus on all
philosophy in order to create a balanced environment for development of
each student.
Angela Horne: I learned that some schools prefer one major philosophy
over another and who knows which one is right. Each year we have a
different need base of students. It is my job to get each individuals where
they need to be. Personally as a teacher, I need structure. I find that
when students are self-centered there is less empathy for other therefore,
stifling the sense of community and concern for others.
Tonya Baldwin: After reading each of the different philosophies I realize
that teachers have to find a balance in what we believe and feel and what
is best for our students. If society moves toward Existentialism, I will have
a hard time because I also need structure and a lot of it.

21. Resources
ECRP-Early Childhood Research & Practice (2015) (Volume 17 No.1) Retrieved from
www.ecrp.uiuc.edu
H. Stephen (2009). To Meet the Demands of a New Age. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6B92pB8Wk
Keith, T. (2012) It’s all about me. Hope On the Rocks. [CD], Nashville, TN. Show Dog-Universal Music. Retrieved from
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxUuDPNbkJk
Mind Shift-How We Learn (2011). Three Trends That Will Shape the Future of Curriculum. Retrieved from
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/02/04/three-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-curriculum
Moment Early Learning (2015). Retrieved from http://www.momentumearlylearning.com/curriculum/philosophy/
Ornstein, Allan C. and Hunkins, Francis P. Curriculum Foundations, Principles, and Issues.
World Press (2012). The HR Café retrieved from https://thehrcafe.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/horse-ism.jpg