This I Believe

National Public Radio does a piece called "This We Believe" where individuals share essays they have written that enumerates their philosophies.

In reading my blog, one can probably figure out my philosophy, but I'm not sure if I ever enumerated it. The first step to being reflective is to get something down on paper (or e paper).

With this concept in mind in terms of my curriculum ideas, (with apologies to the National Middle School Association and National Public Radio), “This I Believe”:

• I believe that curriculum should be developed with essential understandings in mind. What things do we want students to know and understand?
  
• I believe that instruction should be designed with the assessment in mind, so students are given the opportunity to demonstrate what they know (or don't know(.
  
• I believe that curriculum should be structured so that students are taught and assessed through a variety of multiple intelligence and learning styles.
• I believe that curriculum should serve to make students more knowledgeable of the world around them in order to allow them to appreciate varied subjects, including history, literature, science, mathematics, arts, music, physical education, world language, and vocational skills.
• I believe curriculum should be differentiated in order to challenge those that need challenging and to support those who need supporting.
• I believe that a curriculum should not be influenced or changed by political or social pressures.
• I believe that curriculum should be designed by people who think like assessors. No learning activity should take placed without ongoing and formative assessment to gauge student’s levels of understanding.
• I believe one of the purposes of school is to encourage students to do and try new things that they wouldn't do if left to their own devices.
• I believe one of the purposes of school is to let students develop skills and expertise and knowledge in things that they care about.
  
• I believe the content of curriculum should be engaging, interesting, inspiring, and fun.
• I believe the goal of any course of study should be intrinsic motivation and creating a foundation for further study and interest.
• I believe that curriculum is a healthy balance of leveled content, skills, problem solving opportunities, and real world application and relevance.
• I believe that technology can be used as one of many tools to help students and teachers communicate, research, and create more efficiently that they could five years ago.
• I believe that technology is one of many means, not an ends.
• I believe that assessment and grades have very little to do with each other.
• I believe the most important tools in school are a reflective teacher and a reflective learner.
  

This I believe.