The Embedded Curriculum
- gavinclowes
- Feb 23
- 1 min read
As educators, we know there's a clear-cut distinction between curriculum and instruction. Curriculum is what we teach. Instruction is how we teach. Right? Wrong!
For many, the distinction between curriculum and instruction has been etched in stone. In teacher training courses across the nation, students take some courses in curriculum and other courses in instruction. Many schools and districts have two sets of experts. Some occupy positions called "curriculum specialists;" others are "directors of instruction." Outside consultants are hired to give either curriculum workshops (math, science, language arts, social studies) or workshops on instruction (how to use cooperative learning, how to align instruction with the latest in brain science, how to apply the elements of effective instruction). So on the one hand we have our curriculum to deliver. On the other hand we have instructional strategies which can help us make that content engaging. Curriculum on the one hand v. Instruction on the other.
Click here to read full article
I found this post on the embedded curriculum really interesting because it highlights how learning doesn’t always have to be delivered as separate, isolated lessons but can be built naturally into everyday classroom activities. The idea of embedding skills like communication, teamwork and critical thinking directly into subject teaching makes a lot of sense, especially when you look at approaches like cooperative learning where students actively engage with each other rather than just working individually. From what I understand, strategies like Kagan Structures are designed to promote interaction and ensure every student participates, which can improve both understanding and confidence over time. It also feels like this approach helps students develop real-life skills alongside academic knowledge, rather than treating them…