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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Blogs on Curriculum

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Imagine an Education Nation: Six Leading Edges

Milton ChenJuly 14, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Curriculum, Digital Divide, Leadership, Online Learning, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Team Teaching, Technology Integration, All Grades

My new book is just out, Education Nation: Six Leading Edges of Innovation in our Schools (Jossey-Bass). You can preview it on Amazon. In it, I pose this challenge: "Imagine an Education Nation, a learning society where the education of children and adults is the highest national priority, on par with a strong economy, high employment, and national security."

Can Teachers Be Too Territorial with the Curriculum They Teach?

Heather Wolpert-GawronJuly 12, 2010

Tags Curriculum, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), English Language Arts

High school teachers can be so turfy. Which was one of the reasons why I received an email earlier today concerned about my curriculum for the class I'm teaching at summer school camp.

STEM: Virtual Projects to Inspire Lessons in Your Classroom

Dr. Katie KlingerJune 27, 2010

Tags Curriculum, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), Science

STEM at MIT is an exciting Web site experience that promotes their summer institute, mentoring program, and parents' programming. The site also offers a resource page with links to NASA Kids, Discovery Channel, and the MIT museum.

Dr. Eric Brunsell, Edutopia's STEM Group Facilitator, Introduces Science Chat on Twitter (#scichat)

Betty RayJune 14, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Dropout Prevention, Integrated Studies, Leadership, Online Learning, Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, High (9-12), Science

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger this week is Eric Brunsell, who is the facilitator of both the STEM group on Edutopia as well as the bi-weekly #scichat (more below).

Defining Differentiated Instruction

Rebecca AlberApril 13, 2010

Tags Curriculum, Teacher Development, English Language Arts

When I lesson plan with teachers, out of earshot from their fellow teachers and their principals, I can't tell you how often I'm asked, "what exactly does it look like?" when it comes to differentiated instruction.

Educational Mandates Alone Don't Improve Student Achievement

Claus von ZastrowApril 5, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, High (9-12), Illinois

Editor's note: Anne O'Brien is our guest blogger today. She is a project director at the Learning First Alliance, a Teach for America alumna, and a former public school teacher in the greater New Orleans area.

Let's say a district mandates that all students take a college-preparatory curriculum in hopes of improving academic achievement and increasing college going and retention rates. The result? Not great. Why not?

Guest Blog: Managing an Overcrowded Curriculum

Betty RayJanuary 28, 2010

Tags Curriculum

We were particularly excited about this week's #edchat on the topic of how to manage standards and an overloaded curriculum. Brian J. Nichols (@bjnichols), principal of Hidenwood Elementary School, in Newport News, Virginia, provides a great big picture as well as practical perspective.

-- Betty Ray, Community Manager (@EdutopiaBetty), and Elana Leoni, Online Membership Coordinator (@elanaleoni)

When Teaching the Right Answers Is the Wrong Direction

Rebecca AlberNovember 12, 2009

Tags Curriculum, Teacher Development, All Grades

"Is this right?" Admittedly, I flinch a little when I hear these words from a student. Why? They always serve as a reminder of the wrong turn education has taken.

The Myth of Having Summers Off

Heather Wolpert-GawronJuly 8, 2009

Tags Curriculum, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, All Grades

"So, you're a teacher, huh?" says the umpteenth Joe Know-It-All. I know the tone, and I know what's coming next: "Must be nice having summers off," he sneers. I don't know what mythical job this guy thinks I have, but I have never had a summer off.

How to Foster Student Feedback

Elena AguilarJune 9, 2009

Tags Curriculum, Teacher Development, All Grades

At the end of the year, the student survey can be your best friend -- that honest and supportive friend that gives you meaningful feedback and leaves you with something to think about.