The New Curriculum

Working through our course on curriculum and instruction, we are immensely fortunate to have Pat Horstead as our instructor. Pat was instrumental in designing the new BC curriculum, and it has been invaluable to hear the “inside scoop” on its development (if you haven’t yet explored it online, head here to check it out). So many times it seems there is a disconnect between what is happening at the Ministry level and the information that trickles down to teachers; the result is an “us vs them” mentality that is inefficient and often, I believe, unnecessary. From Pat’s perspective as a former teacher and administrator, the curriculum development process was collaborative and collegial. All parties were on the same page, and the focus on designing a curriculum to ensure student success in the 21st Century was apparent in all discussions.

This may be one of the few times that all parties in the education system worked cohesively together, and hardly anyone knows it! Surely, this is something to celebrate.

Throughout the course, we have been delving into the curriculum documents to explore all it contains. Again, Pat’s insight is incredibly helpful. Did you know that there are tabs beneath each curriculum page giving suggestions for how to create flexible learning environments, incorporating Aboriginal views into content areas, and addressing the needs of diverse learners? There is also a tab for instructional ideas based on subject area and grade. These tabs were certainly new to me, and I’m grateful for having had the opportunity (you could read that as having been forced as it was an assignment!) to closely examine all the curriculum has to offer.

What does that mean for me as a future educational leader? Along my leadership journey I have been able to explore the document outlining the Leadership Standards for Principals and Vice-Principals in British Columbia (see the pdf here). One of its key tenets is that an educational leader demonstrate Instructional Leadership. In order for that to happen, obviously, the leader must in fact have an excellent grasp of the curriculum - and how to instruct and assess in meaningful ways!

So now I go to roll up my sleeves and prepare to create an inquiry based unit with a clear focus on Big Ideas, Core Competencies, Curricular Competencies, integrating Aboriginal content, and all pulled together by student interest and thematic content. EEK! Good thing I’m a lifelong learner...