Examples that differentiate an actual curriculum from an official curriculum.

1. Actual curriculum: Teachers may choose to incorporate additional resources and activities into their lessons based on their own interests and expertise.
Official curriculum: The curriculum document provided by the education department outlines the specific learning objectives and content that should be covered in each subject.

2. Actual curriculum: Teachers may adapt the pacing and sequencing of lessons to better meet the needs of their students.
Official curriculum: The official curriculum may have a set timeline for when specific topics should be covered and assessed.

3. Actual curriculum: Teachers may use a variety of teaching methods and strategies to engage students and promote learning.
Official curriculum: The official curriculum may specify certain teaching methods or approaches that should be used to deliver the content.

4. Actual curriculum: Teachers may collaborate with colleagues to create interdisciplinary units or projects that integrate multiple subjects.
Official curriculum: The official curriculum may be divided into separate subject areas with little emphasis on interdisciplinary connections.

5. Actual curriculum: Teachers may provide opportunities for students to explore their own interests and passions through independent projects or research.
Official curriculum: The official curriculum may have a more rigid structure that leaves little room for student choice or exploration.

Actual Curriculum

- The actual curriculum is what is actually taught in a classroom.
- It is influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- The teacher's beliefs and knowledge
- The students' needs and interests
- The school's resources
- The community's expectations

Official Curriculum

- The official curriculum is the curriculum that is mandated by the school district or state.
- It is usually written by curriculum specialists and approved by a school board.
- The official curriculum typically includes:
- A list of topics that must be covered
- A timeline for covering the topics
- A set of learning objectives

Differences between Actual and Official Curriculum

- The actual curriculum is often more flexible than the official curriculum.
- This is because teachers have the freedom to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of their students.
- The official curriculum is often more focused on content knowledge, while the actual curriculum is more focused on skills and knowledge.
- This is because teachers know that students need to be able to apply their knowledge to the real world.

Examples

- Official Curriculum: Students will learn about the American Revolution.
- Actual Curriculum: Students will learn about the American Revolution by reading primary and secondary sources, conducting research, and debating different perspectives.

- Official Curriculum: Students will learn how to solve quadratic equations.
- Actual Curriculum: Students will learn how to solve quadratic equations by using a variety of methods, including factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula.

- Official Curriculum: Students will learn about the different types of rocks.
- Actual Curriculum: Students will learn about the different types of rocks by going on a field trip to a local quarry, examining rock specimens, and conducting experiments.