The Teacher and The School Curriculum
Lesson 6: Principles of Curriculum Content
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| mnemonics: BASICS |
BALANCE
Fair and equitable distribution of time, content, activities, and resources across subjects and topics so no single area dominates at the expense of others. It Prevents gaps and overload; supports well-rounded learning.
Example: The allocated time per subject, according to DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2012
ARTICULATION
Smooth connections in learning outcomes across grades level (vertical) and across subjects at the same grade (horizontal).
What is vertical and horizontal in the context of education?
What is vertical and horizontal in the context of education?
- vertical alignment - focuses on sequencing curriculum elements from one grade level to the next grade level to create a logical progression of learning. It ensures that what students learn in a lower grade prepares them for more complex material in a higher grade. Commonly used here is what we call spiral progression or spiral curriculum of Jerome Bruner.
- horizontal alignment - focuses on connecting and coordinating subjects within the same grade level. This ensures consistency of instruction for all students in that grade, regardless of the teacher they have. It can also be used to create interdisciplinary learning experiences.
- To simplify: vertical alignment builds knowledge from grade to grade so each level prepares learners for the next. While horizontal alignment ensures related subjects at the same grade level to connect and reinforce each other.
Example:
- Vertical: Grade 4 science teaches classification of living things → Grade 5 adds ecosystems → Grade 6 studies food webs and biodiversity. Each year deepens previous ideas.
- Horizontal: Grade 6 science unit on “Rocks and Minerals” is scheduled the same month as Grade 6 geography topics on landforms; teachers plan a joint field activity so students apply science vocabulary when mapping landforms.
SEQUENCE
Content is ordered logically (simple → complex, concrete → abstract, known → new) so learning flows and makes sense. Learners grasp fundamentals first, then apply and extend them. In layman's term sequence is the order in which you learn things. You have to learn how to add numbers before you can learn algebra. Sequence is about putting lessons in a logical order so they make sense and you can understand them easily.
Example: In math subject the teacher introduce fractions, then move to symbolic work and then problem solving.
INTEGRATION
Making meaningful links among subjects so learning is more relevant and transfer of skills is supported. Integration can be thematic, interdisciplinary, or skills-based. It encourages deeper understanding and real-world application. This is about connecting different ideas together.
Example: A teacher might have you study how science and art are related by designing a machine and then drawing a blueprint for it. Integration helps you see the bigger picture and how different subjects are connected in the real world. Another is when you are attending science class and there is a problem solving activity related to the speed of light, what you learned in math subject can also be apply to science subject.
CONTINUITY
Intentional revisiting and reinforcement of key concepts across time and grade levels so learning is retained and deepened. In layman's term this is like a TV show with a recurring character. The character appears over and over again, so you get to know them well. In school, continuity means that you keep coming back to important topics throughout the years.
Example: you might learn about the water cycle in elementary school, and then you'll learn about it again in junior high school and senior high school, each time in more detail.
SCOPE
The breadth and depth of what is included, how wide the curriculum reaches (topics) and how deep each topic goes. Scope defines limits so the curriculum is manageable. This is the boundary of what you need to learn. The scope tells you what topics are "inside the curriculum" and what you are expected to know for a specific subject or grade level.
Example: In science subject scope for Grade 5: “Life cycles, properties of matter, energy” these are the subjects you need to learn for this grade level, beyond that is for higher grade level such as life sciences, physical science, and earth and space science.
Summary:
"BASICS"
B - Balance: The curriculum provides an equal and fair amount of attention to different subjects and topics.
A - Articulation: The curriculum is connected, either vertically (ideas build on each other from one grade to the next) or horizontally (subjects within the same grade are linked).
S - Sequence: The content is arranged in a logical order so students learn topics in the right progression.
I - Integration: The curriculum connects different subjects and ideas to show how they are related.
C - Continuity: Important topics are repeated and revisited throughout a student's education to reinforce learning.
S - Scope: This defines the specific boundaries or coverage of the curriculum for a particular subject or grade level.
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