Teaching From a Scripted Curriculum (career, principal, class, skills)
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Does anybody else here experience a scripted curriculum in the K-12 environment? If so, how have you maintained your sanity? I am working in a district that has adopted English 3D for Secondary ESL Ed. The biggest pro is that everything is laid out for me, which tremendously reduces my time spent on lesson planning. But holy crap, it's a chore getting middle schoolers through the redundant lessons. I could probably sneak in some deviation from the script and teach my own thing at times. But, I am not motivated to do so. Plus, I am the type of person who prefers to follow what I am supposed to do. And with this program, I am frequently monitored by my department head and publishing company representative to ensure the routined are followed through. I know at times the students are extremely bored, which often turns the classroom focus to me having to control disruptions.
I've been in many situations where there is a scripted curriculum. I have never followed it. I might use some of the lessons from a scripted curriculum if they are good, but I'm very motivated to create my own material.
The biggest problem with a scripted curriculum is that all the lessons look similar, there is no variety. You and the kids easily get bored and unmotivated. Every scripted curriculum I've seen assumes that the kids are motivated to do the work and the lessons are laid out accordingly, with asinine discussion questions. I have never been able to follow a scripted curriculum and have always created lessons I find more engaging. I believe I would lose my mind and my passion for teaching if I actually followed a scripted curriculum.
Some people are fearful of what the principal will say or do. I just let results speak for themselves. If they don't like it, they can let me go. I did follow the curriculum on days when the publishing company came in to observe. Luckily, they no longer do that.
My recommendation is to start throwing in some engaging lessons, activities, and projects on a regular basis. Maybe shoot for mixing it up every Friday with something more engaging. You and the kids will appreciate it.
I've been in many situations where there is a scripted curriculum. I have never followed it. I might use some of the lessons from a scripted curriculum if they are good, but I'm very motivated to create my own material.
The biggest problem with a scripted curriculum is that all the lessons look similar, there is no variety. You and the kids easily get bored and unmotivated. Every scripted curriculum I've seen assumes that the kids are motivated to do the work and the lessons are laid out accordingly, with asinine discussion questions. I have never been able to follow a scripted curriculum and have always created lessons I find more engaging. I believe I would lose my mind and my passion for teaching if I actually followed a scripted curriculum.
Some people are fearful of what the principal will say or do. I just let results speak for themselves. If they don't like it, they can let me go. I did follow the curriculum on days when the publishing company came in to observe. Luckily, they no longer do that.
My recommendation is to start throwing in some engaging lessons, activities, and projects on a regular basis. Maybe shoot for mixing it up every Friday with something more engaging. You and the kids will appreciate it.
I've luckily never had to follow any sort of scripted curriculum. Actually, my experience has been the opposite. No curriculum, and we only had standards for about half my public school teaching career.
Good ideas in TX Runner's post. I cannot imagine being so routinized. Sucks the joy out of teaching (and learning).
I've luckily never had to follow any sort of scripted curriculum. Actually, my experience has been the opposite. No curriculum, and we only had standards for about half my public school teaching career.
Good ideas in TX Runner's post. I cannot imagine being so routinized. Sucks the joy out of teaching (and learning).
Same. We got real standards for the first ever time this year.
Yes, but in a special education setting for reading (Edmark). It's mind-numbing as a teacher, but it worked for several of my kids who really struggled with reading, and they enjoyed it because it starts at an incredibly easy level to build confidence. When some of them went up multiple reading levels in a single year because of it, it made the torturous experience of teaching with it worth it.
I could not imagine teaching from a scripted curriculum in a full, gen-ed classroom though.
I've luckily never had to follow any sort of scripted curriculum. Actually, my experience has been the opposite. No curriculum, and we only had standards for about half my public school teaching career.
Good ideas in TX Runner's post. I cannot imagine being so routinized. Sucks the joy out of teaching (and learning).
Well, we are constantly being told students need more and more routine to better reinforce the skills they are taught.
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