What is curriculum?

I found it fascinating to read about how when reward systems are set up, it can actually mean that in the future the students are less likely to engage in the activity because the extrinsic reward is no longer there. In a sense, it really strips students of finding natural reasons to read extra at home or try a tricky problem etc. 

I hadn't considered the perspective that school systems are actually preparing some students for the types of jobs they will have after high school. The hierarchical nature of schools, the extrinsic reward systems and time management all will teach skills that students may use in their future jobs. However, I'm not sure if these are the skills we necessarily want to be focusing on, it feels negative to say that schools are teaching compliance and how to fit into a hierarchical system - I would rather students leave feeling they've learned how to express their individuality and be creative. I think these skills will also equip them for their futures.

This article has definitely expanded my thinking on what is being communicated to students in all the different ways they are learning. The implicit curriculum is teaching just as much as the content, however, much less time is given to think through what those lessons are. This also reminded me of our discussion about grids and how schools are set up like grids and that is teaching students something as well. I think the BC curriculum is attempting to emphasize the underlying skills that students are learning and not just prioritize content. The curriculum seems to recognize that HOW we teach our students is important because it communicates certain skills that the teacher/government deems important. The Ministry wants teachers to prioritize different skills and competencies because they believe this is the most important thing as we prepare students for their lives after Grade 12. Indigenizing education is also a push against teaching certain implicit skills. I appreciate that the BC curriculum wants all teachers to value the history of Indigenous peoples and understand different ways of knowing - focusing on connectedness and relationships is so valuable and I think that will influence our implicit teaching for the better.