The Basics of Scope and Sequence
in Curriculum Planning

Scope and sequence is an indispensable element of curriculum planning. It is very important to understand its nature and uses in order to arrive at an excellent and well-structured curriculum.

Scope involves the topics and subjects to be taught to and learned by the students. It covers the breadth of the contents of the curriculum at any given period. On the other hand, sequence presents the order in which the contents of the curriculum are either taught or learned. It includes the rank and category of the items.

A scope and sequence chart is necessary to maximize the learning abilities of the students as well as the teaching efficiency of educators. It helps create an ideal learning environment by putting emphasis and significance on the more relevant aspects of the lesson plan.

The scope and sequence curriculum design should be carefully studied by the teacher so that it will meet the learning needs of the students as well as the demands of the subject. It should consider the applicable grade scope and sequence of the class.

Curriculum and instructional design is also very important in incorporating the required knowledge and skills into the desired lesson plan. The applicable expertise and experience should be considered in determining the S/S in every grade level in order that children in more advanced years will be taught in a manner appropriate to their learning progress.

A high scope curriculum may also be used in order to encourage student input by incorporating the latter’s interests into the lesson plan.

A scope and sequence template is crucial in maintaining content standards which are apt for the goals of the school or educational institution involved. In determining the best template applicable, the teacher must study the various learning experiences of the students to be taught. A math scope and sequence, for example, should include the previous math exposure of the students which can only be achieved through prior study and assessment of the level of knowledge of such students.

Program balance is a big factor in determining the competence and good organization of language arts, and writing S/S. The literary training and exposure of the prospective students of the curriculum should be carefully assessed, before a S/S chart is written and organized.

Every teacher should choose a benchmark from which to base the S/S  to be applied in every case. Most International Baccalaureate programs apply such specialized standards.

The S/S of MYP, PYP and IBO curriculum projects also employ strict content standards that ensure their greater efficiency in the classroom. These projects aim to match the interests and progress of the students to be subjected to them.

Some curriculum projects also incorporate the multiple intelligence theory to determine the best S/S applicable based on the varying intelligence profile of the students. They then design each activity according to such a profile. By shaping each curriculum under the guidance of this theory, the quality of education is improved and the abilities of the students are better developed.

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