Four issues concerning the social studies curriculum are raised and discussed in this paper. The first addresses the matter of scope in the curriculum. It is recommended that the student be the focal point in determining scope. Next, it is asked whether the goal of social studies should be that of preparing students for life or of helping students…

The following topics and objectives are presented as essential for teachers, principals, and supervisors to study in working towards a modern elementary social studies curriculum: (1) objectives in the social studies; (2) trends in the social studies; (3) scope and sequence; (4) materials used in teaching; (5) readiness in learning; (6) number of…

Views the spectrum of opinions on curriculum issues as ranging from advocacy of measurable, programed, teacher-prepared objectives to advocacy of a flexible, limited, pupil-oriented framework. Also discussed are structuring the learning environment, existentialism vs behaviorism, process vs product, and other issues. (BP)

Teachers, principals, and superintendents need to determine: who should be involved in choosing what learners are to learn; who should select learning activities for pupils as well as the sequence of these experiences; and who should be involved in appraising learner achievement in different curriculum areas. (JC)

Noting that it is vital to pay careful attention to designing the reading curriculum, this document outlines the following issues: objectives in reading curriculum; learning activities; methods of teaching; assessment of student achievement; supervision in the reading curriculum; and philosophy of evaluation. Questions which arise pertaining to…

This paper presents cognitive, affective, and psychomotor objectives and appraisal procedures in mathematics. It emphasizes the development of achievable mathematics curriculum and ongoing and sequential assessment to provide appropriate order of mathematical experiences for students. (KHR)

Recent theories of student learning have changed how education is viewed by educators and the public. One current concern is assessing the objectives of instruction. To be successful, state mandated standards must represent what students should achieve. Constructivism, a currently popular theory, stresses helping students do well in school and…

This paper describes the need for principals to stay abreast of trends in the curriculum. The principal is the leader of the school and should possess leadership abilities, in addition to understanding thoroughly the curriculum. The principal must set and accept relevant role expectations in determining objectives of instruction. He or she must…

Three valuable approaches to utilize in improving the social studies curriculum may be to develop resource units, teaching units, and lesson plans. Resource units contain a collection of more objectives, learning activities, evaluation techniques, and bibliographical entries than can possibly be used by a given teacher for a particular classroom…

Teachers, principals, and supervisors must become very knowledgeable and conversant about different approaches utilized in organizing the language arts curriculum. Thus, the separate subjects approach, the correlated approach, the fused curriculum, and the integrated curriculum represent diverse ways of organizing each of the curriculum areas in…

Examines some possible trends for the future in terms of understandings, skills, and attitudes that learners need presently as well as in the years to come. (Author/RK)

Presents the positions of educators John Goodlad, who emphasizes an open-ended curriculum, and James Popham, who believes in structured curriculum development, with an emphasis on behaviorism. Concludes that although these opposing philosophies complement each other in some ways, Popham's view is criticized for emphasizing lower cognitive…

Clarity of written expression is prized highly in the university curriculum and in the societal arena. Professors need to study, analyze, and appraise diverse recommended philosophies in teaching writing. An existentialist writing curriculum should: include extensive input from students on topics, forms of writing to be emphasized, and planning of…

Since the world is "shrinking" in size due to better transportation and communication, it is important for students to study world issues in the social studies. Problems on the world scene make it imperative that pupils have the requisite understandings, skills, and attitudes to engage in problem-solving activities in the classroom. Teachers,…

A major problem in the teaching of reading is to determine the scope or breadth of the curriculum--how broad to develop the objectives of instruction becomes paramount in curriculum development. Breadth of the curriculum may then be represented by points on a continuum with a wider scope on one end and narrowing down toward the other end. This…