1. Developing Curriculum
Chapter 7

2. How curriculum is defined and developed
Formal curriculum: every subject the school intends to teach their students
Informal curriculum: supplement the formal classes
Hidden curriculum: everything that the schools indirectly teach students through attitudes and behaviors of staff and teachers
Null curriculum: what isn’t included…but could/should be

3. Approaches to Curriculum
Subject-centered approach: best organized around the logical order of the discipline
Student-centered approach: More time consuming and challenging to teachers, and more responsive to student needs and interests

4. National, State, and District Influences on Curriculum
Organizations such as NCTM, NCSS, MENC all have national professional organization standards
Every state has a centralized office that deals with issues associated with K-12 education
School boards, administrators and teachers all play a role in curriculum

5. How curriculum has changed over time
Progressive education…John Dewey and his movement sought to develop curricula that was based on the needs and interests of students
Sputnik and Curricular Excellence…the space race and the Cold War
Inquiry-Based Curriculum: instead of learning facts, learn about the “methods of inquiry”

6. How Curriculum Has Changed Over Time
Questioning Curriculum Options: the call for relevance to kids’ lives
Back-to-the-basics: criticized student-centered curriculum, emphasized excellence in curriculum basics

7. Factors influencing curriculum decisions
Textbook selection: organization and order, content, learning activities
Technology: from chalk boards to television to computers
Diversity Issues: emphasizing the contributions of diverse people
Parent and Community Influences: particularly at the local level

8. Current Curriculum Trends
Language Arts and English: phonics vs. whole language learning
Mathematics: understanding structure and broad concepts
Science: Similar to mathematics…broad concepts
Social Studies: Eurocentric curriculum vs. diversity

9. Current Curriculum Trends
The Arts: the first components of the curriculum to be cut
Physical Education: with more sedentary lifestyles, increasingly important
Vocational-Technical Education: movement toward more comprehensive vocational-technical preparation programs
Modern Languages: Growing need with growing interconnections