A method of teaching flows from its undergirding philosophy. The philosophy of The Good Curriculum is mostly supported by current science of the brain and learning. Those who embrace the philosophy stated below and actively use the principles in their practice, achieve the best results.
Last week, we talked about the first (3) points of learning. Please click here if you would like to read again.
4. Learning best takes place when it has meaning and purpose.
All human beings hunger for purpose and meaning in their lives. Enabling students to see a purpose for their learning will motivate and enhance the learning process. TGC points the students to the goal of attaining literacy. It helps them along the path to literacy by providing them with short term, easily achievable goals. Single phonograms are the first goal, followed by multiple phonograms. Students will take pride in his successes along the way and be very motivated to continue his quest to reach the long term goal.
5. Learning best takes place when new concepts are built upon what is already known.
The brain has two types of memory. Information first comes into the short term memory. Some information will be erased because it is not important to keep. What is important to keep must transfer to the long term memory. Here it will become established knowledge which can be recalled when needed.
In TGC, when the phonograms are learned, the student will use those known units to build words, then sentences, stories, etc., so that whatever is newly learned will be related to something which is known.
6. Learning takes place through the challenge to think analytically.
The brain responds to the challenge to think logically. When we embrace the challenge, the human mind, and spirit rise to meet it. TGC challenges students to think analytically. This process keeps the brain sharp and alert, helping to grow more neural connections, which in turn, increases the ability of the brain to solve problems.
Logical thinking develops the left side of the brain. The left side of the brain features predominantly in the development of good language skills. For a high standard of language ability, then, the left side of the brain must be stimulated early with the challenge to think analytically. Learning something by thinking analytically will also help to consolidate that knowledge in the established memory.
Tom Watson
Next week, we will be talking about the last (3) points.
7. Learning best takes place within an orderly framework.
8. Learning is assisted when we are made accountable for what we produce.
9. Learning is consolidated through review and testing.
The Good Curriculum is a comprehensive video-based, self-taught, self-paced, reading-intensive, writing-intensive, systematic online K-12 curriculum.