I think this class has helped a lot with my understanding of where I would like the curriculum in my classroom to go. As I have said before after eight years of teaching this is my first year as a high school social studies teacher and I took over a classroom by being handed a curriculum guide. I think that this class has really helped me to see what I want in a curriculum. No matter what format it takes it needs to allow students to think and format ideas. It needs to engage them reading and writing that enables them to express their ideas more.
I know that students can't just sit in a classroom and listen to lecture or read a text. They need to be active both physically and mentally. So the curriculum needs to reflect this fact. I have been looking at my curriculum as part of my inquiry project often lately asking myself, " What do students need to know to have a global perspective and how can I provide that in my classroom?" It is a big question and it has a lot of different implications but it is important. The current curriculum does not engage students to think beyond where we live. It doesn't engage them in thinking and problem solving what is going on around us. I know that is important and that they need these skills to be successful.
" What do students need to know to have a global perspective and how can I provide that in my classroom?"
ReplyDeleteYes, a critical question, no doubt! Particularly as a social studies teacher, there are now so many ways that your students can connect with others across the globe...exciting and challenging at the same time.