Re-Imagining Curriculum
How many times do you wonder if what you do makes a difference in the world?
If you have the potential to make great change?
Would we act differently if we saw the world differently?
Why do we act in so many ways that are contradictory to our values?
These are compelling questions many of us wonder about.
One way to approach this is to ask:
What if we could see that there are ripple effects to our actions, and along with this, that the world functions in an interconnected way? Would we then see that our actions make a difference?
We are living in interesting times: with the global pandemic, racial and social injustices (that are detrimental and taxing to society as a whole), environmental degradation (that impacts the support systems and delicate balance needed to maintain life), climate change (and all of its causes and repercussions), pivoting to distance education, the list goes on…
With this we are being called to reframe and redesign many of our known ways of being.
What if there was educational curricula already in place (for young and old), that empowers this understanding that we each make a difference? What if, during this precious time of redesign, instead of sitting in class and thinking, “why am I learning this stuff?” (oftentimes feeling disconnected), you were able to take initiative and make what you were learning more practical and relatable? What if what you learned fostered in you a deeper sense of belonging and awe, inspiring you to stand up for and take care of what you care about the most, seeing your responsibility due to the connectedness of all things? What if we got to add to and reframe what learning looked like in this day and age? What if learning took place in the community, through hands-on learning? Or the home? What if everyone was considered a teacher, including ourselves? And it was up to each one of us to offer a well-rounded and empowering way of learning and a set of perspectives? Essentially, What if we could bridge the gap between how our educational systems have operated up until now, and the dream of what is needed and what it could be?
What would the school of your dreams look like? Would it be a school? Would there be classroom teachers? Would all the students in your class be the same age? Would evaluation be largely pencil and paper tests? Would everyone have to learn the same things at the same exact time? Would students that prefer to learn through bodily kinesthetic or interpersonal means be labeled as dumb? Would we spend most of our time sitting in chairs and at desks? Would we learn more practical skills? Maybe how to grow our own food? How to meditate and regulate our breathing? Maybe how to be kind? How to handle difficult situations and overcome challenges?
Would the school of your dreams enable you to connect deeper? To learn
about who you are and what your special gifts are.
Would the school of your dreams enable you to connect deeper to your community? To learn about who the people in your community are and the
special gifts that they have.
Would the school of your dreams enable you to connect deeper with the non-human environment? To learn about the non-human beings (trees, animals, bees, seasons, patterns, ways of communing etc.) that are in your ecosystem and the special gifts that they have.
Would the school of your dreams enable you to connect deeper to your ancestors? To learn about and honor your history (not his — story) and how it is a part of you, and to learn from the patterns and experiences of those that came before you.
Would the school of your dreams enable you to make a difference in the world? How would the learning be organized? What would be in the curriculum? Does there even have to be one? Or, simply, would life decide?
Lead Author: Rose Madrone (first 4 paragraphs)
These thoughts about how to contribute to a better way of learning led me [Rose] to embark on a multi-year project to seek, and try to figure some of this out. And…to then bring others into the conversation. From scientists to indigenous elders, activists to spiritual thought leaders, students to teachers, learning how others deal with these very questions. And through this investigation, the Connectivity Project was born.
We each have many ripples that we cast, and here’s the ripple I am casting at this time:
CONNECTIVITY PROJECT is a versatile learning experience which can be used virtually online (responding to the times), or in the classroom, as schools navigate how they are teaching these days. This material is especially relevant for this time. Our focus to shed light on how the ripple effects of our actions impacts others has always been pertinent, however it is strikingly relevant now, more so than ever before. Through our short films, and engaging exercises and projects, this useful and easy to use program highlights the difference each of our actions make in the world, while also addressing diversity, social justice, science, social studies, language arts, and much more.
Lasting lessons — This engaging program can help your students/audience better understand the world we live in, how their own actions matter, and to encourage the making of more informed choices for the future. The responses we have received from the students and audiences who have experienced our films and materials is tangible.
Empowering each person to more concertedly step into their intentions and responsibility, showing that indeed change is possible.
Whether you dive into our website with a series of short films, curriculum, and resources, and bring us to your classroom or school. Or join in the Capra Course and read the book ‘A Systems View of Life’ by Fritjof Capra. Or just commit to adopting a lens of seeing and noticing the interconnectedness all around you, I encourage each and every one of us to be curious, to look more broadly, understanding each of our roles in our connected world, and with deep intention, act accordingly.
For a special peek online, coming up on Thursday, Nov. 19 we will be a part of a presentation, hosted by Cape Perpetua Land & Sea Symposium. I will be a part of a panel, and will be sharing our short film, Interconnections. It is a free event, so please join us: https://capeperpetuacollaborative.org/event/8th-annual-cape-perpetua-land-sea-symposium/
Anchor Author: Daniel Rudolph (final 2 paragraphs)
Daniel Rudolph is interested in exploring alternative, experiential learning opportunities for people of all ages. He is passionate about forming community, and building public spaces for meaningful, transformational gathering. Currently he is spending a lot of his time learning juggling and facilitating gatherings. He also enjoys writing and sharing poetry. Daniel is a very curious and playful person and is always open for creative collaborations.
