Philosophy of Curriculum
I believe the school is where our children get their foundation in life. Like a house is built up from its foundation, so must a child’s mind be built. The child’s mind begins to build even further when they walk into our doors. Most children come through our doors eager to learn, but we have to be prepared for children who have no experience or guidance in schooling.
The school is held responsible for laying their foundation. Through positive guidance, strong ethics, and the passion to empower the youth it is possible to create, in all students, the love for learning. In my eyes, it is important for a teacher to project a strong image to their students. The manner in which one carries themselves in a classroom setting is vital to how the students connect with the idea of learning. Leading by example is key. If a teacher is confident in her abilities and shows her students that nothing is impossible, they will feed off of this and continue to commit to their opportunities. “As teachers we progress toward expertise in our profession as we continually refine our own understanding of what in a topic or subject is genuinely significant” (Tomlinson, C. & McTighe, J., 2006). In assisting a student with this, a basic goal is met, providing the student with drive; drive to do more, expect excellence and nothing less.
The object is not to give students the idea that only if you ace a test or win first place, you have conquered your goal, but instead showing them that allowing yourself the chance to succeed can mean eventually you will. The importance is to instill in children, their learning is in their hands and belongs to everyone in the class. “The teacher is able to communicate to the students the importance of the classroom agenda and the capacity of every student to benefit from and contribute to that agenda” (Tomlinson, C. & McTighe, J. (2006). As the teacher it is important to provide the feedback and communicate the progress with the child. Nothing in life is ever as easy as it seems, and learning and growing are no exceptions to this rule. Students must be

shown the idea, that trying, giving it your all, is the most important step. By setting high expectations for one’s self (the teacher) and one’s students, one has assisted to build their first wall to their house. Houses can either be made up of strong ethics and intelligence, or corroded with wrong choices or missed opportunities. For many children their teachers are a major source of knowledge. All children have the potential for greatness, if they are given the proper tools to succeed.
Beginning with planning, using the standards and benchmarks and keeping in mind the children that are being taught is the key. The subjects that should be taught in school are: reading, math, science, social studies, health, art, music and physical education. Engaging children in thinking, reading, writing, speaking, listening, creating and problem solving in an incorporated manner is also important. I also think that we should be able to teach all of these subjects and not have to focus on reading and math exclusively, leaving out the creative learning for our children. I think that our children should be able to explore as much as they can in a classroom. Providing lessons that engage our students and make learning enjoyable, as well as learning from them could be the difference between a student who shows no interest in learning, and one who excels with no signs of stopping. All students learn differently and come from unique backgrounds and contexts; because of this it is imperative that lesson plans are personalized and relevant to their worlds. “Curriculum based on the important concepts and principles of the disciplines is more likely to be engaging to students and link their particular life experiences and interests with the curriculum” (Tomlinson, C. & McTighe, J. (2006). Plan to the needs of the students, allow them the chance to comprehend their new found knowledge in a way that is right for them, and they will succeed in their ventures. Understandably not everything can be so easily personalized. Some subjects must be taught by the book. However if the students

can identify with the fact that as a teacher, one will go out of his or her way to make each step of learning as interesting as possible, the student will in turn be much more motivated to dive into the idea of learning each day. Having the opportunity to mold and shape the minds of those who will, one day, be influencing the direction of our world is phenomenal. I feel that as the teacher I should provide my children with a curriculum that will spark their minds by implementing resources through technology that will give children a deeper knowledge and understanding of the content that is being taught. Providing children with an opportunity to explore with tools provided to enrich their learning experience and encourage them to want to learn more. In some cases some subjects can become easily tiresome and hard to comprehend, but if these lessons are taught in an interesting context, a teacher is able to turn the monotony around. I believe as a teacher one needs to be aware of the constant improvements in education and resources that are available to engage children in their learning. Referring to Curriculum 21 Essential Education for a Changing World, “the concept of what a school is does not need reform-it needs new forms”.
(Jacobs, H. H., 2010). This means we need to adopt a new way of teaching when and if needed.
“Curriculum change depends on people to implement the change. (Oliva, 2003) As teachers we need to implement all the new types of technology to give children the opportunity to enjoy their learning and also become in charge of their learning so they are empowered to explore at a higher level. Technology needs to be implemented overall with student learning, using data and information to help children know where they are academically. These types of assessments can provide the data to drive and challenge and figure out what is best for every single one of our children. In education there are constant changes and we have to be open and accept these because there is always need for improvement. As mentioned in Peter Oliva’s axiom
“curriculum change is inevitable, necessary, and desirable,” the teacher needs to grow and

develop and be able to respond to change and adapt to changing conditions. (Oliva, 2003) We have to make the best of the changes and make sure during this process our children are building their foundation of what is being taught. During these changes we have to keep in mind all of our children and modify the curriculum for every single child. Of course curriculum delivered one way is not going to work for every child. Every year as a teacher we have to work together on how we deliver it and assess it to meet the needs of every child. We can’t expect to do the same thing without implementing changes to inspire each child to want to learn. I agree with the quote in the literature “the teacher has a road map for the learning journey that directs ongoing assessment and adjustment of teaching and learning plans throughout the unit” (Tomlinson, C. &
McTighe, J., 2006). We must make informed changes based on data collected through assessments and through critical reflection on our practice. As educators we have to open our eyes and realize that our students need the technology that engages them like mentioned in the articles, games, virtual environments that at the same time boost learning for all students in all areas. Laying the foundation is the hardest step to the process. I feel once the teacher has assisted his/her children with this step, the rest will fall into place. When the children are involved with every process of learning, we are giving them the chance to succeed. Only when students achieve their own personal success can the teacher know that they have achieved the ultimate goal. Providing knowledge is limitless, and the greatest gift anyone can receive. We have to value our childrens’ needs and take this into consideration when curriculum is put into place and provide our children exactly what they need. Being able to provide and create a sense of community and an environment that stimulates maximum growth and achievement for all children is essential.

In curriculum we choose paths in small steps to follow, “we negotiate and choose that path, but ultimately it is the students who determine how they will, or if they can, take steps on the path with each class, each teacher, and each day” (Jacobs, H. H. (2010). As the teacher we make adjustments to our learning days when we have learned about our children and deliver lessons in the best way our children will understand. I believe it is very important to know our students and assess them before we begin anything. From this point on we are able to begin our journeys together and learn from one another and become the best we can at our abilities.

References
1. Foundation for Excellence in Education, Digital Learning Now!. (2010). Report of the FFE final report on benefits of adopting digital learning in US schools. Retrieved from http://www.excelined.org/Docs/Digital%20Learning%20Now%20Report%20FINAL.pdf
2. Jacobs, H. H. (2010). Curriculum 21 Essential Education for a Changing World.
Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
3. Mullen, R. & Wedwick L. (2008). Avoiding the Digital Abyss Getting Started in the
Classroom with YouTube, Digital Stories, and Blogs. Heldref Publishing.
4. Oliva, Peter. (2003) Developing the Curriculum: Sixth Edition. NY Longman, PP. 28-41.
5. Sahlberg, P. (2005) Models of Curriculum Development-international trends and the way forward. Proceedings of the International Conference on Curriculum Reform and
Implementation. Ankara, Turkey: Ministry of National Education, PP.108-121. Retrieved from http://www.pasisahlberg.com/downloads/odels%20of20curriculu%20development%20ICC2005.
pdf
6 . Tomlinson, C. & McTighe, J. (2006). Integrating Differentiated Instruction and
Understanding by Design. Alexandria, VA: ACSD.
7. The Partnership for 21 st
Century Skills. (2009) Framework Definitions.