In the final installment of the Curriculum Series, Laura Cruz and I go over student memoirs and why each student has a story worth telling. She decided to try this project because she wanted her students who came from different backgrounds and races to have opportunities that white wealthy students traditionally had. This type of writing allows us to process … Read More
Curriculum Series #5—Establishing a Reusable Unit Arc
We’re getting into unit arcs in #5 of my Curriculum Development Mini-Series. Unit arcs are considered the backbone of units that are student-centered and grounded in justice. In order to make it work, you need 3 to 5 purposeful protocols. What kind of protocols you ask? Click play to find out more! Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share! … Read More
5 Scandals in Education
TL;DR: Scandals exist in schools. Teachers and administrators must analyze their schools to see if they exist or have the potential to develop. There are 5 scandals in education: low expectations, lack of instructional leadership, culture does not emphasize formative assessment, curriculum alignment is left to chance, and students are not required to think. Throughout history, scandals have been documented. … Read More
Developing a Quality Curriculum
TL;DR: Develop a quality curriculum by identifying desired outcomes, unpacking the standards, identifying transfer goals, and prioritizing curriculum development. A quality curriculum can become the constant in schools, rather than a variable determined by each teacher. When school districts commit to clarifying the curriculum, each student will have a greater chance of success as he/she enters the next grade level. … Read More