GENERATIVE TOPICS: An Overview by Dr. Olu Odusina.
Generative topics are used in the development of curriculum to be implemented in the classroom. To develop Generative topics, students are encouraged to take active roles in deciding on a topic to be developed. The topic is then brainstormed upon to generate as many sub topics as possible. In developing such “Generative Topics” we need to look for THREE FEATURES:
1. Centrality of the subtopics to the discipline
2. Accessibility to the students and
3. Connectivity to diverse topics inside the discipline.
Each of the following Generative Topics (GROWTH, HUMAN BODY, DREAMS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS, COOKING) were chosen by each of my four classes and students in each class brainstormed on all the various subtopics that they would like to include and study in their curriculum unit plan. After choosing a Generative topic, students deliberated/brainstormed on the aspects of the topics and subtopics that could be generated/expanded for study to ensure the centrality, accessibility and connectivity of all the subtopics. The following are the final products of “GENERATIVE TOPICS” produced by each of the four classes.
Growth, The Human Body, Dreams
and Disappointments, and Cooking.
HOW TO KEEP A HEALTHY HEART
In this project, firstly students investigated into the causes of heart problems and acquired cognitive skills on “How to keep a Healthy Heart” on a life long basis. Secondly, they then developed curriculum units on the various aspects studied on what to do to maintain a healthy heart (e.g. exercises, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, food and diet, stress, drinking and drugs). Finally, students developed TWO GAMES that could be played by all (both adults and younger people) on “How to keep a Healthy Heart” while at the same time having fun, thinking critically, sharing ideas and consolidating all the cognitive skills they have learned on “How to keep a Healthy Heart.” Click here to view HEALTHY HEART. If you recieve a permisssion box, do not fill in a password or login. Simply click on OK each time.
LITERACY PROJECT CURRICULUM RESOURCES
Lists of curriculum that teachers at the various Literacy Project sites have developed or adapted.
Subjects included are: English Language Arts (ELA), Geography, Mathmatics, Reading, Science, and Social Studies/History.
CHARBONEAU
LEARNING CENTER CURRICULUM
Additional curriculum from the instructors at the Charboneau Learning Center,
The Literacy Project's Greenfield, MA site.
Assessment Rubic for Measurment
By Dr. Olu Odusina. A tool for Instructors