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Working with the Curriculum or Programs of Study
We know from the Giving It stage of B-SLIM that teaching a language involves WHAT to teach and HOW to teach it. In many regions and districts the WHAT can be guided by the Curriculum or Program of Studies. Although these curricula may not always coincide exactly with B-SLIM, they set out the guidelines for what is expected to be taught in each individual program. Like our teacher friends Marguerite and Anna, many teachers question the best way to incorporate the curriculum in their own individual program. In this section we will discover more about curricula and how best to incorporate them into lessons and larger programs. |
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What is the curriculum?
The curriculum legally defines what each course consists of and what students are expected to learn in each year.
Each region or district has its own version of the curriculum. In Canada, the curriculum is provincially developed and in Alberta it is called it the Program of Studies.
There is a Program of Studies which provides particular outcomes for each subject. The general learning outcomes remain the same for every grade; they are broad end point goals. The specific outcomes for each general outcome involve the different ways teachers are meant to go about reaching those general outcomes; these are different for each grade.
To whom does the curriculum apply?
The curriculum dictates what must be taught to the students; where teachers are allowed their freedom is how they go about making sure these concepts/strategies are taught to the students.
What is the best way to implement the curriculum?
Many people can feel overwhelmed by the scope of the curriculum. By becoming familiar with the broader goals of the curriculum, several specific outcomes can be met at once with certain tasks and classroom activities.
A challenge many teachers face is how to make the curriculum relevant in real-life situations for students. Several techniques involve using authentic materials, going on field trips, guest speakers, and having the students involved in life-like situations.
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It is often the case that multiple objectives can be met with one activity. Develop three different activities that will meet each of the objectives found below (objectives taken from the International Languages Alberta Program of Studies). |
Curricular Objectives |
Applications: Students will use the language to receive and impart information. |
Competence: Students will interpret and produce written and visual |
Global Citizenship: Students will explore historical and contemporary elements of the culture |
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What do practicing teachers say? Watch the video of this experienced teacher to see how she incorporates the curriculum into her planning. (time 3:46) |
Links to Curriculum Sites: