One thing we know for certain: the Common Core will become yet-another failed initiative unless our curriculum provides a clear, unambiguous picture of how to teach for understanding. The solution? A concept-based curriculum. Where can you learn how to create one? "Designing a Concept-Based Curriculum in English Language Arts." Fusing…

To focus on the importance of concept development and metacognitive processes to the act of writing, curricular changes must be made, including shifting the emphasis from mechanics to content and meaning. Six suggestions are offered for improving the quality and quantity of the written product of learning disabled students. (CL)

This article proposes a different way for curriculum developers to visualize the curriculum-building process. The author suggests a method to assist faculty in incorporating the ideas that authorities in the field have set forth. (Author/CT)

This article introduces a series of papers that explain and illustrate how a higher order thinking curriculum can be designed for a full spectrum of students, including students with learning disabilities. The article discusses an approach in which concepts, rules, and strategies are taught by organizing content around the process of noting…

Concept maps are used at the Cornell University (New York) college of veterinary medicine for curriculum planning, particularly development of problem-based cases for classroom use. The maps help prioritize concepts, refine objectives and details, articulate links between aspects of a case, and support overall course design. (MSE)

This workshop is based upon work and findings of the Learning in Science Project, a research project which investigated problems and difficulties in the teaching and learning of science. The workshop program, including activities which have been shown to impact on teacher thinking, is designed to focus attention on learning problems in classrooms,…

Summarizes research on how children think about economic ideas and values and the development of such thinking. Explores the influence of instruction on children's thinking about economics and points out implications for curriculum and instruction. (RH)

This book explores concept-based learning across disciplines and grade levels. Teachers can use the specific strategies to create a seamless learning program that teaches students the skills they need to think conceptually and to solve problems in today's complex, changing world. Chapter 1 reviews national, state, and local standards through a set…

Urges "watering up" the curriculum for adolescents with learning disabilities and identifies principles associated with making knowledge construction more meaningful. Offered are specific instructional techniques for use in inclusive settings, such as focusing on teaching big ideas, promoting elaboration, relating to real-world contexts, and…

This paper describes common practices in social studies instruction and proposes a conceptually based model of history instruction for learning-disabled students, involving sameness analysis and integrating concepts into a network of knowledge. The model includes preskill instruction, problem-solution-effect analysis and note taking, vocabulary…

This book, which is for K-12 teachers, teacher educators, administrators, and staff developers, explores concept-based learning. Chapter 1, "Interpreting and Aligning National, State, and Local Standards," reviews the national content standards through a set of concept-based questions to highlight the differences between concept-based and…

Based on suggestions of participants at the second annual Instructional Methods Forum held in June 1989, the monograph considers cognitive-based approaches to teaching mathematics to students with learning problems. It addresses identification of characteristics of successful cognitive approaches and the role of media and materials. An…

The paper describes an approach for identifying intervention strategies, techniques, procedures, and activities designed to enhance the developmental competencies of handicapped, mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, and at risk children (birth to 4 years of age). Curriculum procedures are classified according to domains of intervention and…

The 14 chapters in this volume are intended to facilitate differentiated curriculum development for gifted students that is substantive, rigorous, and in keeping with disciplinary structures. The chapters are: (1) "Content-Based Curriculum for High Ability Learners: An Introduction" (Joyce VanTassel-Baska); (2) "Accelerating…

Intended to assist teachers as they assess, plan for, and teach deaf blind students, this manual describes a process for adapting curricula for students who function within the 0-24 month developmental period, also known as the sensorimotor period. The manual's first section provides an overview of project activities including the literature…