Teaching and Learning in the Elementary School: Focus on Curriculum

Teaching and Learning in the Elementary School: Focus on Curriculum, 1/e

Judy Reinhartz, University of Texas, Arlington
Don M. Beech, Tarleton State University

Published December, 1996 by Prentice Hall Career & Technology

See other books about:
Curriculum Development/Elementary-Curriculum and Instruction

General Elementary Methods-Curriculum and Instruction

Summary

This comprehensive, realistic view of teaching and curriculum development in the contemporary elementary school, uses an interactive, reflective, and research-based approach supported with numerous practical explanations, examples, and illustrations. Written in easy-to-understand language, it 1) covers the historical, philosophical, social, and psychological background of teaching and curriculum development, 2) outlines the steps and strategies for planning, implementing, and assessing the curriculum and for teaching throughout construction of traditional or thematic teaching units, and 3) offers an overview of the various subject areas taught in the elementary school (concepts, goals, resources, and tools).

Features

Views the teacher as a reflective professional who is part of a collaborative team.
Provides sufficient background — regardless of where students are in the sequence of education courses — to understand the total curriculum development process and teaching.
Discusses and describes the background forces and factors that impact teaching, learning, and the curriculum development process — historical issues, social factors, psychological principles, and philosophical views.

Considers the experiences and impact of different populations.
Explores issues/situations which impact teaching and the curriculum development process in realistic ways — e.g., diversity of student populations, impact of parents on the curriculum, and the educational program of the elementary school.

Describes a realistic three-step model that students can use in the process of curriculum development:

Planning — through the use of varied curricular designs, resource materials, and educational technology.
Implementing lessons plans or units teaching — using multiple strategies and procedures.
Assessing the curriculum and student learning — using a variety of strategies.

Provides examples of traditional topical unit planning documents.
Covers processes and components of thematic planning — complete with a sample unit.
Examines, individually, the various subject areas taught in the elementary school — Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, and the Fine Arts. For each:

Presents a general overview of the concepts taught, along with program goals, assessment options, and a list of teaching resources and tools.
Discusses educational technology and provides a list of suggested software in each content area.
Shows how linkages can be made across subject areas through teaching thematically using literature, experiences, and activities.

Relates the personal experiences of a top administrator as he retells a story of how individual teachers can use curriculum and teaching to make a difference in the lives of children.
Integrates Voices of Experience sections throughout — highlighting issues/concepts from the point of view of practicing teachers.
Features reflective Your Turn sections that ask students to think about and apply what they have learned to different contexts/situations.
Contains numerous visuals.

I. AREAS OF STUDY IMPACTING TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

II. AREAS OF STUDY THAT IMPACT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

III. SUBJECT AREAS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM.