Teach Meaningful : Tools to Design the Curriculum at Your Core

Teach Meaningful includes examples from across grade levels and subject areas to help teachers design curriculum. It provides exercises teachers can use to write and assess curriculum that results in valued outcomes, and protocols that help groups of teachers work together toward more cohesive curriculum they can all stand behind.

Teach Meaningful is a practical guide to designing curriculum that meets

standards, serves personal and institutional values, and intentionally leads to

successful student learning. Identifying which understandings, knowledge, and

skills are “most important” for students to learn is always a question of values, so

getting clear on values gives teachers a starting place to design cohesive units,

courses, and programs. Written by a teacher for teachers, Teach Meaningful

includes:

● stories of failures and successes in designing curriculum from across

subjects and grade levels

● metaphors from everyday life to help teachers understand curriculum

design as a process rooted in values and culminating in meaningful

learning

● examples of essential questions, assessment guidelines, lesson calendars,

unit plans, and curriculum maps

● exercises and templates teachers can use to create and assess curriculum

● protocols designed to encourage inclusive participation and critical

reflection when colleagues look at curriculum together