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Curriculum Design
I.
Big Ideas: Limit the number of new concepts introduced in a lesson, and focus first on the
most basic concepts before advancing to the more complex concepts. Be sure that students
understand one concept before introducing the second. For example, reserve teaching
synonyms until students are firm on the basic concept. The concepts of comparatives and
superlatives should be withheld until the basic concepts are clearly established. When
introducing comparatives and superlatives, introduce comparatives first; then, after students
consistently use comparatives, introduce superlatives.
II.
Conspicuous Strategies: Use clear models to teach basic concepts. Use simple language.
III.
Mediated Scaffolding: Limit the number of concepts introduced, and separate those that
are likely to be confused. To reduce the language demands, refrain from introducing two new
and unfamiliar labels in one day. It is also important to provide sufficient guided practice for
the group before progressing to individual turns.
IV.
Strategic Integration: When the basic concepts are reliably known by learners, introduce
comparative and superlative concepts strategically to build higher-order skills. Higher-order
skills will not be useful or reliable if the basic concepts are not firm.
V.
Judicious Review: To really "know" a concept students must use it frequently and in a
variety of concepts. Lessons following the initial lesson should apply new concepts to build
up the students' ability to remember and recall the concepts.
VI.
*Excerpted from Toward Successful Inclusion of Students with Disabilities: The Architecture of
Instructionby Edward J. Kameenui, and Deborah Simmons(1999).