A Five-Day Curriculum Writing Institute

                                         Summer 2004

                        Differentiating the Curriculum:

                  Using an Integrated, Interdisciplinary, Thematic,

                                Standards-based Approach
What: "Roger Taylor is one of the most sought-after experts in the areas of interdisciplinary, integrated curriculum, differentiated instruction, critical thinking skills, character education, multiple intelligence, gifted education, school-to-career education, and brain-based learning. Dr.s1 Taylor has helped thousands of school districts apply local and state standards to their curriculum so that, “teachers are teaching students to learn rather than teaching for the test.” In his 36 years as a classroom teacher, administrator, professor and internationally known educational consultant, Roger has authored/co-authored over 8000 integrated, interdisciplinary, thematic curriculum units for grade levels K-12. The units are written based on the AHA (Analyzing Human Activities) model he created. This unique model includes specific application of the most recent brain research, multiple intelligences and constructivist hands-on project-centered learning in alignment with state defined benchmarks and standards."  http://www.rogertaylor.com
Consequently, in the Summer of 2004, I was able to participate, along with a packed coliseum of Visalia Unified teachers, in one of Roger's summer workshops, culminating on Friday with completion of a unit of study unlike any other.  CSTP STANDARD 4:
Plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students
So What: I have never attended such an exhausting, yet exhilarating workshop as a teacher!  For five long days, in small grade-level groups, we were taken far from our comfort zone and forced to rethink everything we knew and believed about "what good instruction looks like."  As an elementary teacher on special assignment, writing and delivering all my instruction through units like these is probably not only impractical but overwhelming for just one single teacher.  Perhaps in the Middle schools or large schools with many teachers at the same grade level, teachers could rotate students through one unit at a time in which they specialize in.  Teaching 3 or 4 of these units simultaneously, as they are meant to be, would be just too much.  Having that said, Roger Taylor has inspired all of us to re-look how and what we teach.  His integrated, interdisciplinary approach applied to each of our own teaching styles, could ignite a powerful infusion of excitement into classroom. 
With the climate of education in California so focused on "raising test scores," I see more and more teachers moving their teaching to a "stand and deliver" "just the facts" approach.  This pressure to produce is squeezing out the imagination and innate desire to learn that dwells naturally in our children.  Roger Taylor helped all of us see how curriculum can raise test scores drastically, on the wings of powerful learning that bridges across the disciplines, meets each child in their learning style and "intelligence," and make the real world connections that are necessary for students to move what they have learned into long-term memory.
Our groups' labor of love for the week was an integrated, interdisciplinary thematic unit that covers the causes and course of the American Revolution--a 5th grade learning unit:  A Paine in England's Backside.      Thematic Cover
 
What's Next: I have so much to learn about this type of approach to lesson design and learning.  I would hope as I have the chance to start applying Roger Taylor's lesson design into practice both whole and part, I will become more confident to share these ideas with other teachers.  In any event, I look forward to applying all that I have learned.  I'm sure my walk with these ideas will have its stumbles, but with practice, I'll learn to run.