Why Develop a Concept-Based Curriculum?
Â
Concepts are the foundation of how we process, store, and understand learning. They are the mental frameworks that help us organise information and make sense of the world. As research shows, experts’ knowledge is connected and organised around important concepts, which supports understanding and transfer to new contexts, rather than simply enabling recall.
A concept-based curriculum promotes deep understanding and through a variety of contexts encourages transferable thinking. Learning is connected through ideas and not just isolated facts, it is more likely to be remembered.
A concept-based curriculum fosters coherence in curriculum design by helping teachers create connected units that build over time, rather than teaching disconnected topics.
My mentors and teachers in the value of and how to develop a concept-based curriculum were Dr H Lynn Erickson and Dr Lois Lanning at the Lynn Erickson Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction Institute in Montana, USA.
We can work in partnership to address:
- Conduct an analysis and review of the current school curriculum to find strengths and areas that need improvement
- Work with all stake holders to select the concepts most pertinent and important for your students,
- Coach your teachers to formulate the conceptual understandings that will underpin the school curriculum
- Develop a cyclic coherent curriculum across the school that incorporates all learning areas and strands, based on the refreshed NZC.
- Work with teachers to create units of inquiry that address the curriculum and meet the requirements of the learning goals
- Create an assessment plan to match the curriculum
Planning our package
Together we would plan a package collaboratively considering your school’s curriculum needs and create a coherent curriculum across the school addressing all learning areas. We would evaluate the on-going success of the process as we move forward.
Some ideas of ways to work together:
- Keynote presentations
- Working with senior leadership to plan the process and create a way forward
- Presenting the proposal to the Board of Trustees, explaining the process and why
- Workshopping with senior leaders, team leaders and/or planning teams
- Teacher Only Day workshops with whole staff
- Staff meetings
- Team planning sessions
- Buy my book
Working with Kate over three years was transformative for our school. Her deep knowledge of concept-based curriculum, combined with a genuine understanding of how to support staff through change, helped embed lasting, meaningful shifts in our teaching and learning.
Our curriculum is now more connected, culturally responsive, and future-focused, grounded in the needs of our learners and our unique local context. Beyond the technical expertise, Kate is a genuine pleasure to work with. She is warm, insightful, and deeply respectful of the knowledge already within a school. Kate builds trust, and with that trust comes real change.
Tracey Smith
Principal,
Oromahoe School,
New Zealand
My Passion
My passion is to ensure that every student develops understanding of their world and every teacher works from a well-planned and balanced curriculum with no surprises. I believe every student should have access to an education of high expectations with the opportunity to succeed at the highest level. My approach is practical, strengths-based, and grounded in the greatest respect for education and teachers at all levels.
