An important aspect of implementing the curriculum is to consider the quality of the materials we provide to pupils.
Some are better than others.
William Morris said ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful ‘ and this is a useful lens through which to consider the resources that land on pupils’ desks.
If the materials are ‘useful’ they should make pupils think rather than expect them to complete an activity with little effort.
If the materials are ’beautiful’ the question here is whether they are well designed?
We’re not talking here about whether it’s covered in sparkly butterflies but whether it’s as close as possible to the ‘real’ thing.
For example, in religious education, if we are teaching about mosques, we have a choice: we can either offer pupils a poor quality image or we can show them a real mosque.
Like this
Photo Steven Zucker
For more examples on how high quality visuals are likely to deepen learning, check out the thread below from Craig Baxter
To emphasise that this is not just about aesthetics (although I think it’s important that whatever we offer pupils is beautiful) it’s about asking ourselves whether what lands on desks actually reflects the ambitious intent we have for the curriculum.
And of course, it’s not just RE. We can apply the same principles to other subjects as well.
For links to high quality resources, you might find the subject links on the curriculum resource pages helpful.
Until next time
Mary
And when you’re ready, you might find these helpful for curriculum development in your school
Huh Curriculum Leaders Course: UPDATE: Bookings are now closed for the January - February 2023 cohort. If you’d like to be kept up to date on the June course, you can sign up here
The spring Primary Subject Networks now available to book, live and recorded (£/free trial). Due to demand we are planning secondary subject networks, details to follow
NEW: Huh Leadership Lobby: blended course, designed for aspiring, new and established leaders, led by me and Andrew Morrish. Starts April 2023, places limited, for more info you can sign up here.