Fun fact: the word ‘curriculum’ comes from the Latin for the tracks on which chariots would race.  I sometimes feel when writing curriculum that I’m figuratively going around in circles.  Writing my Kenan curriculum, however, was exciting because I got to work with content that is new.  I feel most successful in integrating and bridging multiple courses in my lessons: if it works as I plan, students will be able to experience different aspects of genetic research in English, Science, and History all in the same day!

The challenge that I’m having at the moment is translating terms that I’m used to using so that other teachers can understand.  I’m constantly finding in education that we lack a common lexicon: what one school calls PLT’s, another calls PLC’s, or Grade Level Learning Teams, or whatever.  I had particular trouble explaining jigsaw reading groups in a concise way that made sense.  “Jigsawing” is one of my favorite teaching techniques so I wanted to make sure it was clear.  I’m not sure how successful I was, but I’m looking forward to getting feedback next week and seeing what other people are doing!