K-12 Curriculum Development

If you have a desire to learn more about curriculum development, assessment, differentiating instruction, curriculum mapping, and the science of teaching, then this is the next book you should purchase.  On Excellence in Teaching is the fourth book in a series published by Solution Tree.  The Leading Edge series unites education authorities from around the globe and asks them to confront the important issues that impact teaching and learning.

Readers will have a difficult time selecting which chapter to read first.  This book was written by some of my favorite authors (Grant Wiggins, Lynn Erickson, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Carol Ann Tomlinson, and Jay McTighe).  Robert Marzano served as the editor of On Excellence in Teaching.  About ten years ago, it was not the norm for authors to share their ideas in the same book.  Solution Tree has managed to get authors to collaborate for four consecutive books and it is beneficial to educators.  Many educators have felt like these authors were saying the same thing regarding curriculum development, but each author wrote their own book(s) with a slightly different angle.  While I still encourage educators to read the full-length books by each author, this may not be practical for every educator.

In chapter one, Grant Wiggins addresses What's My Job? Defining the Role of the Classroom Teacher.  This chapter focuses on curriculum development, teaching for understanding, assessment, grading practices, and the aims of education.  This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.

David Berlliner states, "We are headed the wrong way with accountability practices.  The same politicians and business persons that want high-stakes testing to be the cornerstone of a school accountability system also want students to develop 21st century skills.  They cannot have it both ways"
(p. 141).  Often teachers admit that they would prefer to teach 21st century skills, but the AP exam or the state's End-of-Course exams do not assess 21st century skills.  It is sad to hear teachers say, "I know that my teaching would be different if I did not have to prepare students for an End-of-Course test."  Berliner and other authors suggest concept-based curriculum and instruction, differentiated instruction, authentic assessment and instruction that leads to enduring understanding of key concepts and skills.

In chapter nine, Robert Marzano shares his framework known as The Art and Science of Teaching.  Several authors describe the problems associated with instruction that merely aims to 'cover' state standards or the local curriculum.  Heidi Hayes Jacobs summarizes 'coverage' instruction with the following analogy:
"Imagine if your doctor said, I give the same medicine every September. So be sure, when you enter the hospital, that your illness matches what I am prepared to give" (p. 209).

Marzano shares more about On Excellence in Teaching on YouTube at:
On Excellence in Teaching

If you are serious about improving curriculum development, increasing student achievement, differentiating instruction, identifying what students should know and be able to do, and improving classroom teaching and assessment of key learning goals, then you need to order this book today!  When you read this book it will challenge your views on education, but it will make you a better educator.  You may even wish to have a study group with your colleagues.  Solution Tree offers a FREE Study Guide (See Attached Document Below).

Please feel free to share your thoughts regarding On Excellence in Teaching.

Marzano, R. (Ed.). (2010). On excellence in teaching. Bloomington, IN: Solution
         Tree Press.