Multiple Approaches and Challenging Curriculum EMD 335 | Newberry College Hello – This is Jennifer Morrison with Newberry College for EMD 335 Middle School Curriculum and Organization. This presentation is on the topic Multiple Approaches and Challenging Curriculum. On this slide… For today’s presentation you will need… - An open email - Access to your course textbook and CD-ROM - Access to the handouts associated with this presentation

Multiple Approaches and Challenging Curriculum Describe three new strategies you can use to diversify your approach to teaching/learning. Identify the characteristics of an effective curriculum. Discuss how you might make your curriculum more effective. By the end of this presentation you should be able to…

Educators use multiple learning and teaching approaches. TWBA (2012) pp. 47-61

Why is it important to have multiple learning and teaching methods in the middle level classroom? We know our students are diverse. It is our job to create multiple opportunities to learn.

Strategies to get to know your students and their perceptions Set up Poster Pass to have students brainstorm and present strategies for slides 5-10. Some ideas… Inventories (learning style, cultural, interest, etc.) or questionnaires Beginning of year activities Photo bulletin board Teachers also need to help students get to know them.

Strategies to increase comprehensibility and retention Some ideas… Present information in all modes: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic Use anticipatory sets Use graphic organizers Learning stations

Strategies to increase reading comprehension and literacy Some ideas… Give and supply choice (focus on enjoyment) Teach comprehension strategies: annotation, etc. Help students connect Model

Strategies that check for understanding Some ideas… Rating scale Have students repeat/retell directions, etc.

Strategies to increase interaction Some ideas…

Strategies that harness technology in useful ways Some ideas…

But what are qualities of a good project? Kids like projects. Students like projects. But a good project will… Be targeted to demonstrate essential learning. Have an organized plan that scaffolds student work, skills, and knowledge. Allow for differentiation. Get students to use multiple resources. Include interaction. Include reflection. Require an authentic performance. Include choice when appropriate. Share/discuss Morrison classroom project. But what are qualities of a good project?

What’s in your toolbox? What’s in your toolbox to… Get to know your students and their perceptions? Increase comprehensibility and retention of your content? Increase reading comprehension and literacy? Check for understanding? Increase interaction? Harness technology in useful ways?

Activity #7 Reflect on this Characteristic. Looking through TWBA, describe three new strategies you can use to diversify your approach to teaching/learning.

Curriculum is challenging, exploratory, integrative, and relevant. TWBA (2012) pp. 29-46 These are the characteristics of an effective middle level curriculum.

TWBA Video Clips Challenging Curriculum “Curriculum Development” “Hot Air Balloons” “Sled Project” “Prairie Curriculum” “Ice Fishing” “Art-based Partnership”

Activity #8 You watched at least two of the videos. For each video, what was challenging, exploratory, integrative, and/or relevant about what you saw? How can you create this type of curriculum in your classroom?

What’s next?