What is curriculum?

The word “curriculum” defines a course of study – ideally one that runs through students’ entire schooling years teaching students the intellectual habits valued by their school community.

What is an integrated curriculum?

This rests on the premise that master thinking skills, not mere information, is the object of a high school curriculum.

What is Enduring Understandings?

Enduring Understanding –     Represent a big idea having enduring value beyond the
                                                classroom
                                                Reside at the heart of the discipline (involve “doing” the
                                                subject)
                                                Require un-coverage (of abstract or often misunderstood
                                                ideas)
                                                Offer potential for engaging students

If we change textbooks for my course or discipline will that change what my Enduring Understandings are and what is Essential for students to know?

It should not change your Enduring Understandings this is what is called un-coverage

What is un-coverage vs. coverage?

Text is a resource vs. text is a syllabus

Student performances are better demonstration of knowledge vs. a text driven test

Are Enduring Understandings for a given course the same for a standard, CTP, and honors level courses?  Are the core competencies the same?

The answer to both of these questions is yes.  Your Enduring Understandings that you develop is for every student.  The core competencies should be the same but performances may vary some what between the levels.

What then are Essential Questions?

In every class and every subject, students will learn to ask and to answer these questions:
For each unit there will be several essential questions that are open-ended, interpretive, and go to the heart of the discipline or content area.  For teachers and students the essential questions serve as the inquiry and path to obtaining the understanding of the content that they are teaching and learning. 

• How do we know when we know?  What’s the evidence and how reliable is it?
• How are things, events, people connected to each other?  What is the cause and what is the effect?  How do they all fit together?

What is Essential, Important, or Familiar in developing the Essential Questions?

Essential – These are the deep understandings and information that each student in the class must obtain.  (Direct relationships to the Enduring Understandings)
Important – With more time available it would be beneficial for students to acquire this understanding and information.
Familiar – With available time this information is worth just being familiar with or possibly can be eliminated when we are confronted with time constraints.

What is the difference between core competencies and Enduring Understandings?

The core competencies are developed from the Enduring Understandings and these competencies serves as evidence of what is essential for every student to know in that course.

What are core competencies?

Core competencies are directly linked to the Enduring Understandings and what is Essential for every student to know in that course.  They serve as the evidence that the Enduring Understandings and the Essentials have been acquired by all students.  These can be evidenced through a multitude of assessments and/or student experiences.

Then what are the cross cutting competencies everyone keeps talking about?

The cross cutting competencies are what we believe every child should know that are reflected in our mission statement under our Learning Expectations.  These cross cutting competencies are embedded in every course we teach.  These competencies are assessed using school wide rubrics.  

Do we need to use the rubrics for mission driven student learning expectations for every unit?

The answer is yes and no.  You do not need to use the rubrics for the cross cutting competencies for each unit but you should use the rubrics when evaluating the overall course to see if you are meeting the student learning expectations.