BuildYourOwnCurriculum was founded on a series of basic beliefs about curriculum, developed by the Menasha Joint School District, Menasha, WI. These beliefs continue to serve as the foundation and guiding principles behind BuildYourOwnCurriculum.
- Curriculum must be a living tool for learning – it cannot be created/revised every five years and then placed upon a shelf never to be seen again, or at least for five years.
- Curriculum must be standards-based (local, state, national) and this alignment between the standards and curriculum must be easily verified.
- The curriculum must serve as the foundation for beginning to build a collaborative culture.
- We must overcome the tradition of teacher isolation – the focus of teachers must go beyond their classroom.
- Teachers are not always good at sharing ideas/activities.
- We need to find a way to allow teachers to share ideas/activities with other teachers.
- Curriculum must be easily developed, easily accessible, and time friendly.
- Curriculum must be of value to all audiences (students, parents/community, teachers, administrators, & school board), and able to enhance classroom instruction, improve student learning, and serve as the catalyst for addressing the needs of all students.
