Curriculum Planning: A Contemporary Approach

The title for this review should be self-explanatory. The authors/editors provide a veritable plethora of writings providing viewpoints on different and pertinent curriculum elements. It's a must textbook for curriculum courses and an excellent resource for administrators and curriculum developers

Part I contains six chapters about the bases and criteria for the curriculum including goals and values, social forces, human development, learning and learning styles, the nature of knowledge, and curriculum criteria. Part II contains four chapters about the curriculum including education for children, early adolescents, middle adolescents, and late adolescents and adults including senior learners. Each of the first six chapters begin with focus questions, key points, criterion questions, and references followed by contributed short selections that included questions for reflection. The last four chapters begin with focus questions, developmental aspects and goals for that age group, and references followed by contributed related selections. Each chapter ends with learning activities, critical thinking, application activities, field experiences, internet activities and books and articles to review. The book is both theoretical and practical and should be useful for anyone developing curriculum for any age group.