Developing a Curriculum...Help!

[Seeking Ma'at]

Peace fam,

Does anyone know how to actually develop a curriculum? Someone near and dear to me is trying to start his own school. Upon presenting this idea to the elders he needs--amongst other things to come with time--to present an organized curriculum to them. He gave them a list of courses, but not in a way that is organized "per grade level" (if that makes any sense...). Also of importance are goals and benchmarks to be set so the children who attend his school can be at, or even surpass, the level of the children in the state.

I am open to all perspectives and advice from people who have experience in creating educational systems, be they public, private, homeschool, Afrikan centered...whatever! Thanks in advance.

Peace.

[Im The Truth]

I think you'll do good talking to some of the African-centered schools in Detroit.

[YorubaQueen]

Peace...
Seeking Ma'at...I wrote a curriculum YEARS ago but I can't recall how I did it or what I wrote (I'll have to go through my discs to find the one that I wrote) BUT I did come across some websites for you and I hope that they help you out!

http://www.uwsp.edu/education/lwilso...ic/PLANGEN.HTM

http://kate.massart.edu/at_massart/a...frameworks.pdf

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=275284 (This one isn't really about how to create a curriculum BUT it does talk about the first Afrocentric school in Canada...maybe you can contact them for help as well like Im The Truth stated)

http://www.ehow.com/how_2096951_crea...culum-map.html

That's just a little info that I found online...BUt I will say (from my slighted memory lol) that use state and city standards for the framework and then include African/African American information based on the subject that you are referring to. Because more than likely the system you are in will require that you meet certain local/state standards in order for the school to be opened (at least that is how it works in Wisconsin) but you can always include within their standards your OWN standards. For example for science, you can include AA scientist, AA women inventors, products that were created by AAs; math - AA who discovered certain mathematical theories, AA professors or teachers of math, AA statistics (particularily for middle/high school students); history...well what can you NOT include in history.

These are just some examples but the important thing is to make it easier on yourself. Use the framework that is given and work around it by adding info that you know FOR SURE...because the state and local gov'ts can have a whole bunch of bullshit that you know nothing about (hell I wonder sometimes if they know about it) but it is a good template for starters. Also, make sure that you include teaching standards (usually found at the dept of public instruction for the state or ask the local university's school of ed), discuss multiple intelliegences (good starter site for that is: http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/con.../mi/index.html ); and discuss how you are going to do inclusion with children with disablilities and I don't just mean ADD and ADHD there are so MANY acryonyms that u have to learn (CD -cognitively disabled, MMR Mildly mentally retarded; LD; ED emotionally disabled, etc) as well as vision and hearing disabilities. So you will have to focus on that because you will have children that will have such issues because we are more than just 'hyperactive.'

Well that's all I can t hink of at work right now lol..but I hope that it helps. And today (wait lemme not lie...this WEEK lol) I will be looking for that disk that I had with an old curriculum that I did and I'll email you the info from it.

Hope it helps and GOOD LUCK!

YQ

[YorubaQueen]

Peace...

Originally Posted by Seeking Ma'at

Peace fam,

Does anyone know how to actually develop a curriculum? Someone near and dear to me is trying to start his own school. Upon presenting this idea to the elders he needs--amongst other things to come with time--to present an organized curriculum to them. He gave them a list of courses, but not in a way that is organized "per grade level" (if that makes any sense...). Also of importance are goals and benchmarks to be set so the children who attend his school can be at, or even surpass, the level of the children in the state.

I am open to all perspectives and advice from people who have experience in creating educational systems, be they public, private, homeschool, Afrikan centered...whatever! Thanks in advance.

Peace.

I forgot to add this...when you are doing a curriculum for a charter school, you are more than likely going to have to do it based on grade level. BUT when you get the school opened this is what you have to realize: you are suppsed to be teaching towards the next level (if in 3rd grade teaching for 4th grade) You can always inform the teachers to base their teaching/lesson plans on the next grade's information.
When you look at the benchmarks...they are nothing but steps of each other...focus on that. You could include 4th info in 3rd grade benchmarks...you can always introduce certain skills needed to know in high school to middle school students (pre calculus in 7th/8th grade). Just remember a curriculum is more of a game plan not the actual game. Things change once you get into the classroom and that will be realized once you get into the class room and assess the students (and PLEASE don't forget assessments for students I'll find info on that for u later as well).
Just get the the technical down for the gov't first..then implement what you WANT from your kids later...because you can have your own professional statement for your school that surpasses what you give the gov't because no matter what you are going to bypass the gov't standards any way...
When you need books...let me know I have a few websites I can direct you to for info on great books for students (gov't required and then AA books as well...I used to purchase books for a school I worked at once...)

Ok I'm done now sorry lol

YQ