Whenever we buy curriculum we need to adapt it to our students and our context. Pernille Ripp has the following suggestions:
1.Create an open dialogue. Teachers need to know that they can question the program and that they have a voice. Assess the program continuously. Just because you spent money on something does not mean it is right for everyone.
2. Allow teachers to modify, adapt, and change as needed. Trust the teachers as the professionals they are to create an even better experience for their students by responding to the gaps that they see.
3. Ask the students. It does not matter that a given program is the best for creating deep comprehension if students hate doing it. If a curriculum program is creating robots in our classrooms, we should take action—ask the students what is going on, listen, and change.
Ripp goes on to say in a recent post: “It’s our responsibility as educators to speak up if something is not working for our students. Administrators cannot engage in a conversation that they do not know is needed. Ask your students, involve parents, collect your evidence, and start a conversation before a program becomes an educational barrier to success.”
