Episode 32: The 8 Types of Curriculum
REFERENCES:
Types of curriculum: https://counseling.education.wm.edu/blog/8-types-of-curriculum
Chalk.com: https://www.chalk.com/resources/7-reasons-why-your-curriculum-matters-more-than-you-think/
INTRO:
In Episode 31 we began our discussion of What is the social studies curriculum? by talking about its definition. Today’s podcast is going to deviate from our direct understanding of What is social studies? in order to better understand this term I keep using: “curriculum.” I think it’s important to understand this term because it dictates how social studies is debated, taught, and ultimately learned in our classrooms. As an added bonus- our curriculum discussion will help you unpack what makes up other curriculums you are given and instructed to teach; like science, word study, and mathematics.
So, by the end of this episode, I promise you will have a better understanding of the 8 types of curriculum that relates to the social studies curriculum that we teach in public schools. And this information will help you determine small steps that you will take in your classroom to ensure the social studies units and lessons actually resonate with your students.
CONTENT:
I mentioned in Episode 31 that the term “social studies” is defined as “the study of social relationships and the functioning of society and usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology, geography, and anthropology.” We talked about how there are many subtopics of social studies and, to some degree, the basic premise for teaching social studies is to assist our students with the knowledge and understanding of history, cultures, civilizations, becoming an informed and productive citizen, engaging in civic work, and helping each child understand themselves and how they fit into their community, city, state, country, and the world. This is really a simple and very short recollection of Episode 31. I highly encourage you to listen to it and take a few moments afterwards to think about what some of your goals for teaching social studies are.
Why does understanding the types of curriculum matter? When teachers understand curricula, they carry that expertise into their own planning and design. This expertise can create optimal learning environments for students' understanding, success, and overall growth (Fitchburg State, 2021). Understanding the different types of curriculum can help you create a good curriculum- one that
creates and supports a positive culture and identity,
Keeps up with an ever-changing world,
Makes learning and your teaching consistent,
Opens the door for collaboration (between you and your colleagues, you and your students, your students with each other, and everybody with everybody!),
Can help your school save money (and buy only what you need, will use, and what aligns with your school’s culture and goals and teachers), and
Provides measurable targets for which you can use to assess your students’ learning and growth (Chalk.com, 2022).
I’m here to tell you that despite your feelings about the social studies materials in your classroom, I believe this discipline is one which you have the most control over. Linking your knowledge of social studies materials and topics with an overall understanding of what types of curriculum you are working with and within, will only help you be(come) a better, more effective teacher AND it will help you be more creative in the ways you teach this amazing and challenging discipline we call social studies!
I keep mentioning this word “curriculum” as I talk about social studies. And do you know that there are many different kinds of curriculum? Let’s take a moment and define the term “curriculum” briefly- you know that’s how I operate. Get the definitions out of the way! Merriam- Webster defines curriculum as: a set of courses constituting an area of specialization. So all of the parts of social studies and anything else you may add to make it relevant for your students, that’s the social studies curriculum. Now let’s get to the different kinds. William and Mary School of Education Counseling division has a blog to describe 8 different types of curriculum. I’ll add the link to this blog in the show notes. In addition, I’m going to make a bigger deal about one of the 8. I think you’ll agree with me when I discuss this type in more detail as it seems to be important particularly when discussing what and how to teach social studies.
Without further adieu, here are the 8 types of curriculum:
Written Curriculum- A written curriculum is what is formally put down in writing and documented for teaching. The written curricular materials come from a formal curriculum company or school district curriculum specialist and are developed to meet specific learning goals, standards, and objectives.
Taught Curriculum- This type of curriculum refers to how teachers actually teach the content. Taught curriculum is less predictable and standardized because it varies from one teacher to the next depending upon how the teacher teaches it. Taught curriculum can also be the result of the tools and materials the teacher has to meet the students’ learning needs. This point is especially critical for students who have additional learning needs like those needing special education or gifted education services.
Supported Curriculum- A supported curriculum involves all of the additional supports needed to teach. Examples include: textbooks, field trips, software and technology, and other innovative new techniques to engage students including specialized school personnel who can support the curriculum.
Assessed Curriculum- Assessed curriculum is also known as the tested curriculum. It refers to quizzes, tests, portfolios, presentations, group projects, problem-based learning outcomes, and other kinds of methods to measure students’ success.
Recommended Curriculum- This type of curriculum stems from what experts in education suggest. These experts include: nationally recognized researchers, policy makers, legislators, school district curriculum experts, outside consultants, book companies, and others. The recommended curriculum focuses on the content, standards, skill sets, and tools educators should prioritize in the classroom when teaching.
Hidden Curriculum- A hidden curriculum is the curriculum that is not planned, but it has a significant impact on what students learn. This type of curriculum is not always communicated or formally written down but it includes implicit rules, unmentioned expectations, actions, remarks, and the norms and values of a culture that exists in the space where the curriculum is being taught. So sometimes what is not said or emphasized by the teacher makes up the hidden curriculum. Sometimes, the hidden curriculum can form as the result of a judgment made or reaction to something discussed in the classroom- good or bad. Both teachers and students are affected by the hidden curriculum and it can be a source of angst when things go awry. Open communication and empathy help negate any negative effects that sometimes occur when the hidden curriculum is misinterpreted.
Excluded Curriculum- The excluded curriculum is also known as the null curriculum. It refers to what content is not taught in a class- what is left out. Sometimes what is left out is intentional. Other times, what is left out is unintentional. Either way, the excluded curriculum can shape students as much as what is included. This is HUGE when talking about teaching social studies! That is why I wanted to emphasize this curriculum type even more than the others. Every day we are faced with the dilemma: to teach or not to teach- that is the question. My advice, choose wisely and when in doubt, talk about it with your trusted teacher friends, administrators, or curriculum specialists. Make the best curricular choices you can here- your students’ learning potential depends upon it!
And finally, we have the Learned Curriculum- The learned curriculum refers to what students walk away with from a class or lesson. This includes the subject matter and knowledge they learned but also can include additional changes in attitude, different opinions, and how the student feels about the content learned from an emotional perspective. As you can see, the learned curriculum often goes beyond what is assessed on a test or quiz- although those things can be considered learned as well.
The major take-away here is that there is much more to teaching and learning curriculum than meets the eye! And what we do or don’t teach really matters every day in our classrooms. So take the time to dig deeper into the curriculum that is handed to you by your school administrator, found during an Internet search, or purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers. You may just find that making decisions that are good and accurate for your classroom of students could really make or break the learning outcomes. But you already knew that, didn’t you?
So before I go, let me list the 8 Curriculum Types again. They are as follows:
The Written Curriculum,
The Taught Curriculum,
The Supported Curriculum,
The Assessed Curriculum,
The Recommended Curriculum,
The Hidden Curriculum,
The Excluded Curriculum,
and The Learned Curriculum
In the case of the social studies curriculum and its history in the United States, these types of curriculum come into play in major ways. According to Ross (1997), the debate for the purposes and organization of the social studies curriculum has created waves of tension among policy people, professional associations, educational foundations, textbook companies, states, local school districts, teachers, students, and parents- just to name a few- and been discussed and argued many times over throughout our history as a nation who educates our youth. Determining what is and is not worthy under the umbrella of social studies education is, and will continue to be, a source of debate. But this is often the case when a discipline is malleable and evolving everyday- like social studies is. I equate this to herding in an elementary class back into the school after recess is over. It’s never an easy job but one that is worth our time, energy, and struggle in order to provide the best possible learning for our students.
Tune in to Episode 33 where we will discuss some of the stakeholders who influence what, how, and when we teach social studies in the United States. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!
Whether you consider yourself a creative teacher or not, or just need a spark to re-energize your classroom atmosphere tomorrow, I hope our discussion today of the 8 Types of Curriculum will help you confidently engage your students and create an atmosphere for high-quality content, instruction, and amazing learning potential to begin.
OUTRO:
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Thank you again for joining me, Dr. Paige Hendricks in today's episode of Get Off the Dotted Line! See you next time!
