Perfect Curriculum

Perfect CurriculumPresented by Molly McMillan, Ken Wayman,Myrna Guthrie, Lisa Ego

Dogwood Dawn ElementaryAfter the dog days of summer, come the DOG days of school!

PhilosophyLearning TheoryProponents: Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, Seymour Papert, Key Aspects: Social Development Theory, Constructivism, Discovery LearningBehavior TheoryProponents: Alfred Adler, Rudolf DreikursAdlerian Psychology (Individual Psychology), Basic Premise: The central motivation of all humans is to belong and accepted by others.All behavior of individuals is understood in the social context.Behavior Theory (Continued)Four Mistaken Goals of the Discouraged ChildAttentionPowerRevengeInadequacy

Instructional TheoryProponents: John Dewey, Franklin Bobbit, Ralph Tyler:What educational purposes should the school seek to attain?What educational experiences can be provided that are likely to attain these purposes?How can these educational experiences be effectively organized?How can we determine whether these purposes are being attained?Beliefs About the Learning ProcessAbraham Maslows hierarchy

Vertical and Horizontal AlignmentAreas to align: Content areas: Reading, Literature, Grammar, Spelling, Math, Science, History, Geography, Sociology, Art, Music, Dance, Theater, Foreign Languages, Technology, Physical Education, Health

Vertical and Horizontal Alignment(ctd.)Areas to align (ctd.): Process (Systems) Areas: Procedures, Reflection, Public Speaking, Research, Writing, Typing Citizenship areas: Listening, Communicating, Tolerance, Responsibility, ServiceVertical AlignmentContinual, progressive, minimum benchmarks for each grade level; within each content, process, and citizenship area.Ongoing review of pre-requisite benchmarks from previous grade levels.Horizontal AlignmentAlignment across same grade levels for all areas(content , process, citizenship).How are we going to do this?Provide adequate time for ongoing collaboration with all stakeholders (preparation time together for horizontal alignment, days off for vertical alignment).How else?Actively seek to inform all stakeholders from all levels.Actively seek input from all stakeholders, at all levels.

Textbook Adoption Suggestions (so far):Spaulding (Reading and Writing), Saxon (Math), Spotlight On Music, or Share the Music (Music)

Teacher In-service Suggestions:Training Course for Spaulding, The First Days of School by Harry Wong, Instructional Design by Robert Marzano

Standards(vaguely similar to vertical alignment concept)National StandardsState StandardsAssociations and OrganizationsDistrict

Role of the StakeholdersOverall PhilosophyRole of the StakeholdersStudent LearningChildren learn in the social context of school. They learn in and out of the classroom. They learn by what they see, hear and do. Role of the Stakeholders (ctd.)Student Learning (ctd.)Student learning is based on the fact that students know that their teachers have high expectations for their academic accomplishment and their conduct.Role of the Stakeholders (ctd.)Student Learning (ctd.)Our goal is to help each student develop their capacity to develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions that equip them to become work and college ready.

Student RoleStudents are deeply engaged/connected in their work.Students are able to articulate their understanding for expectations.Student RoleStudents demonstrate exemplary work habits.Students communicate a sense of pride for their school and their ability to succeed as a learner.Demonstrate respect for authority.

Teacher RoleStudent Learning is at the Center of all decisions.Communicate High Expectations.Teacher RoleDevelop Confident Learners.Actively monitor student learning.Problem solve with the principal.Teacher RoleTeachers are adaptive to the needs of the students.Set all students up for success.

Teacher RolePrepare students for state wide tests.Teachers come with solutions to problems.Administration RoleHelp create a school culture that is centered on student learning.Monitors student learning.Administration RoleHelps to defend, protect and insure instructional time.Helps facilitate the development of a useful reporting process.Administration RoleHandles discipline problems so as not to interrupt the instructional teaching time.Create opportunity for parents to understand what is happening in our school.Parent RoleOur school is dependent on the support and encouragement of parents.Help develop a strong partnership between the school and home. Help students to develop good work ethic and study habits.Parent RoleOur school is dependent on the support and encouragement of parents.Help your child to be prepared for school each day by seeing that they receive adequate nutrition and sleep.Attend conferences to make sure that you are aware of childs progress.Parent RoleOur school is dependent on the support and encouragement of parents.Actively communicate with your childs teacher and the school.Have a positive attitude about school and the learning process and communicate that to your child.Community RoleIn our perfect curriculum, the community would be one of the major stakeholders. They are a vital part of the educational process. Our Communitywill be supportive of our children and choices that are made with their best interests in mind. Will be informed of decisions regarding our school and students and have input in those decisions.Our CommunityWill be encouraged to participate and take an active role in our students education.Will be open-minded about decisions to better assist our students education and improve their educational setting.Our CommunityWill regularly take part in our partnership meetings in order to bring in outside ideas to the table.Will be invested in our school and students. They are our future!

AssessmentAssessment is a crucial part in determining whether a curriculum is effective. At Dogwood Dawn, we created assessments that would be most beneficial to our students needs.Our AssessmentsWill be measureableWill be effectiveWill be grade level and content appropriateOur AssessmentsWill be done in a variety of ways:PortfoliosOral reportsPresentations on the computerWriting an essayPerforming a playWriting a songAssessments (ctd.)We will also have an end of course test which all students will take to show progress and performance learned throughout the year.End of Official PresentationWhat are your questions?