A Curriculum Worth Learning

Newsletter

This week I share blog posts, articles, and resources on curriculum development for the 21st century.

1. In this post, I explored the concept of what students should know and be able to do. It’s a complex question in the digital age.

2. One book I referenced in my post is 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari. I’ve only read the chapter on education; it’s on my to-read pile.

3. Reading widely should be an integrated practice in our curriculums. I highlight this approach plus four others in my post How I Read as a Literacy Leader.

4. The concept of “lifeworthy learning” is introduced in the excellent resource Future Wise: Educating Our Children for a Changing World by David N. Perkins.

5. I’ve found the most effective curriculum work is developed with students in mind, a topic I addressed in Choice Literacy’s Big Fresh earlier this month.

6. This week I wrote about how standards can influence instruction in unhealthy ways, such as how they can become the focus vs. student work and process.

7. Related, Phi Delta Kappan has an excellent issue out right now, “Rethinking the Curriculum”. I referenced this article that describes the history of standards.

8. If you or another educator you know teaches history, check out this PDK article questioning the “expanding horizons” curriculum development approach.

9. Equity is an important topic right now and relates to curriculum work. A short article in Educational Leadership, “Reimagining the Null Curriculum”, is a helpful resource for understanding why our curriculum should be relevant for all kids.

10. During last summer’s book study for Literacy Essentials, Carrie Kreider wrote about reducing the need for intervention.

I am currently reviewing resources to read for this summer’s book study on the blog. What book would you recommend that relates to literacy and leadership?