Post written by David Hunter
As a curriculum designer who advocates for project-based learning, I strongly believe that curriculum plays a major role in the school culture but can often go unconsidered when developing a vision around that culture. At first glance, curriculum and culture may seem to be separate issues, but when you look deeper, curriculum can be a foundation for the culture because it's representative of how students are interacting with learning on a daily basis. To that end, creating a positive school culture requires that students play a part in curriculum design and implementation.
Involving students in curriculum development sounds challenging, but as a teacher, I found small, easily executed steps that help build a culture where students feel heard and engaged about what they are learning. Here's an example of what worked for me: after I had designed the major portion of the curriculum for a new unit, but before starting it with my class, I would hold a "Curriculum Lunch." I invited students to bring their lunch to my classroom, where I would present a preview of my plans for the next project. I shared the standards and learning objectives as well as the projects I was preparing for the students to work on, then asked for their input and feedback.
At our curriculum lunches, students were positive about upcoming projects and mostly gave feedback on how to make them more interesting; engaging; and, in some cases, challenging. Student feedback, even if I couldn't use all of it, helped me refine my curriculum in student-centered ways. What's more, these Engaging Curriculum: A Foundation for Positive School Culture — Whole Child Education:
4-17-14 The Whole Child Blog — A Legacy of Caring and Learning — Whole Child Education
A Legacy of Caring and Learning — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGA Legacy of Caring and LearningApril 17, 2014 by Torva Felton"The things he sees are not just remembered; they form part of his soul."—Maria MontessoriBeing with Guilford County Schools since 1998, my heart and soul has been dedicated to teaching here at Washington Elementary School, now known as Washington Mont