Chapters 1-4 Summary

Summaries of chapters 1-4 in Curriculum 21:
Chapter 1- Backwards design is important, curriculum on replay does not work, the need for revision of dated content skills and assessments.
I have not seen much curriculum work in the district for which I work.  It does seem as though we are on replay, especially above grades K-5.  I know the middle school still "teaches" the same books in the same way they did 20 years ago.  Where is your diorama?
Chapter 2- Technology needs to be replaced, not integrated!  Developing curriculum starts with assessment and looking at how we are assessing students and moving towards more modern ones.  Curriculum maps also breathe life into the curriculum, they zoom in on the individual child.
Our viewpoint on technology is if kids are typing up a story they wrote they are using (integrating) technology.  I think this would take some professional development to change our ways and thoughts.  We do not do curriculum mapping in the district I work for.  I've never seen one.
Chapter 3-It is important to update content.  Should we keep what we have?  Cut some or all of it?  Create new?  Or all 3?  What is timeless?  Everyone who works in the school should be involved in reviewing maps in vertical teams.
I think this would be a place to go where I work.  Some of this work was done this summer in math.  Only as it pertains to alignment however (to CCSS).  Teachers were taking the math resource (Scott Foresman) and checking to see what aligned with the CCSS, and what could be cut out. Everything where I work is textbook based, so if it isn't in the social studies book or science kit, it isn't getting taught.  I'm not sure how old these resources are!
Chapter 4- This chapter was about school structures.  Why does a student's school experience always have to be 13 years?  Could it be shorter?  The U.S. has the shortest school year.  Should we change our grouping patterns?  Do all 7 year olds have to be together?
Our system follows the typical US school schedule with a very short day too!  9-3, which is a bit cramped!