Curriculum and Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning (Ch.3)

Abstract
This chapter in Turning Points 2000 focuses on the building of curriculum around the standards we are all so used to. The idea that the students will be most likely to succeed with a standard based curriculum is an idea that is repeated several times throughout the chapter. It also alludes to the importance of responding properly to the changes in students' and the ways they are learning from the curriculum. Most of the chapter is relaying advice on how to modify the standards and create a curriculum around them that best supports the students and the teaching methods that are most effective. By giving tips on how to work with the standards, it gives the reader a better look at how they can be best incorporated. Backwards Design was also a big part of the chapter, because of the standards being worked into the curriculum. It is a common and effective way to build this kind of curriculum.

Reflection
I found this chapter to be a bit of a refresher, but packed with good information none the less. There is so much information out there on ways to build curriculum and teach for the students' needs and change things when they do or do not work out as expected. This chapter highlights some really great points and gives a lot of useful information including assessment for the different types of changes for curriculum. This is basically practicum in a chapter. It was nice as a refresher, but at times it feels like it is being drilled a little with the repeat information. Always a good resource to go to is a book that spells out such good techniques and ideas as this one does.