Parallel Curriculum Model

The Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM) is a method of organizing your lesson plans. The PCM utilizes four main components to developing high quality lesson plans, these are: Core, Connections, Practice, and Identity.

The Core/Basic Curriculum

This curriculum is built on key facts, concepts, principles, and skills essential a discipline. It serves as the foundational curriculum that establishes a rich framework of knowledge, understanding, and skills most relevant to the discipline. As the foundational principle it promotes understanding rather than rote learning.

The Curriculum of Connections

This curriculum model stresses student understanding of the task, subjects, framework, etc. by emphasizing the connectedness of various topics. Students are encouraged to explore the relationships between different disciplines, time periods, issues, problems, events, cultures, and places. This model allows students to develop a deeper understanding of both topics because the curriculum fosters critical thinking, higher-order thinking/questioning, and dialogue among students and teachers.

The Curriculum of Practice

As stated in the title, this curriculum allows students to solve problems, develop and understand real-world topics experienced by actual practitioners and scholars. Students use key concepts, principles, and skills to reflect on the discipline and their personal beliefs fully.

The Curriculum of Identity

This model guides students to understanding their own strengths, preferences, values, and commitments through reflections. Students use key concepts, principles, and skills to reflect on the discipline and their personal beliefs at a deeper and more comprehensive level.

Fosters deep thought in students

Encourages cross-curricular planning

Encourages differentiated learning based on learner need

Promotes understanding rather than rote learning

Is mentally engaging and satisfying to learners

Results in evidence of worthwhile student production