Task Two

What is the purpose of curriculum and what role do we have as teachers in this purpose?

Curriculum design is at the center of developing student ability to construct understanding. Without appropriately designed curriculum, instruction can be ineffective at scaffolding understanding. For me, curriculum is a guide for teachers. As teachers, our role is to follow the guidance of the curriculum, support the goals of the school and district, and help our students learn to the best of their ability.

How much control do we have in the designing of curriculum? How much should we have?

As teachers, I believe that we have as much or as little control that we want over the curriculum. All curricular materials are subject to the interpretation and individual application of the teacher. However, there are those districts and schools that gives the teachers little choice or control. I feel that there should be no specific amount of control that a teacher should have. Each teacher is different and may need different levels of control of the curriculum. The school should be able to notice if the teacher is teaching the curriculum adequately, or if that teacher may need to go to grow in that aspect.

How does the curriculum that you have look like in your classrooms in a day to day environment?

I have a very relaxed curriculum in my classroom, because I am affiliated with the YMCA and not a part of the Kenton county school systems. However, I use the Kenton County curriculum guides. I collaborate with the kindergarten teachers at Caywood to make sure that I am on the same curriculum path as they are. I like to use hands-on, student-centered activities. I like my students to use inquiry to get them excited and intrigued in the lesson. My lessons are not always as student centered as I would like but I do try my best.

Task One

Hello classmates. This is my blog on the task curriculum and design. I hope I am doing this right.

· Why do we need to consider curriculum?
A curriculum helps teachers with guiding principles and, help teachers make decisions about what to teach when. Experienced teachers uses curriculum. They reflected in their teaching and decided if a specific concept is understood. A curriculum also creates a sense of unity and coherence across a semester or a year.

· What model of curriculum do you feel best fits your current role? What model are you most attracted to? What would be your preference?
My current model of curriculum that best fits me now is a cumbersome of curriculum. In my district, we use curriculum planning. In my classroom, I use curriculum as a conversational domain. I was really interested in the “modern” form of curriculum. I am all about the kinetic learning with my kindergartners. I do believe in inquiry, and in having students want to learn. Students should have fun learning.

· Wiggins talks about the need for a “modern” curriculum- what could this look like? Do you buy that we need a new approach to curriculum? Why or why no?
Wiggins talks about the need for a “modern” curriculum, and I agree with him. If students are not interested or engaged in a lesson they will not learn it. I was a product of the memorize and then forget it teaching curriculum, and it did not work for me. I feel if I was taught a more modern way of teaching, I would have been able to understand a lot more of the content.
A “modern” curriculum could look like having the students involved in their learning. Students uses guided questions, hands-on activities, and inquiry to learn. Students need to gain control over the resources and be involved in their own learning, and be able to apply it to their every day situations. Students need to learn how to enjoy learning.

This is my first blog.

Hi! This is the first time I have ever blogged, and I'm not really sure how to do most of these technology things. I can't wait to learn all about technology and this course. I am also taking two other courses in Special Education.

I graduated this past December for Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Elementary Education. I did my student teaching at River Ridge Elementary School. I taught fifth grade and second great. It was a great experience.

Right now I am teaching at Caywood Elementary School. I am the lead kindergarten teacher in a new program called extended kindergarten. Basically while the kindergarten students are not in their regular kindergarten class they come to me for a second dose of education. I think that this is a great program and I hope that other think so too.

I also work on the weekends as St. Walbergs Infirmary as a nurses assistant. Basically, I help the elderly nuns that can no longer take care of themselves. I feed them, get them ready for the day, and whatever else they may need of me. I love it there, but I am afraid that I am over doing this semester and may have to quit. Only time will tell.

Other than that, I do not have much of a life. Any time that I get off I feel like sleeping or just relaxing. I enjoy relaxing with my friends, family, and boyfriend. I also enjoy reading and playing sports when I have the time.

I can't wait to talk to you all!