Table of Contents

List of Figures
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Here Comes the K-8 School
Origins of the New K-8 School
Rationale for Changing the School Design
Bedrock Beliefs About Educating Children
An Initial Look at the New K-8 Program We Need
Some Issues Associated With K-8 Education
Questions for Study Groups
Summary
Notes
2. Using Standards to Define K-8 Programs
Origin of Standards
National Standards for K-8 Education
Subject Matter Standards in K-8 Schools
Extending Standards in K-8 Schools
Learning Targets for Standards-Based School
Managing Standards-Based Programs
Nurturing Intellectual Competence
Transfer of Knowledge
Questions for Study Groups
Summary
Notes
3. Using Skills to Create the Seamless Curriculum
Two Conceptions of Ends
The Curriculum Design Tasks
What Kind of Skills Should be Taught?
Sample Tasks for Each Learner
Collaborative Emphasis
A Final Word About the Subjects
Questions for Study Groups
Summary
Notes
4. New Instructional Patterns for the K-8 School
General Design
Organization Patterns
Modifying Standards-Based Curriculum
New Uses of School Buildings
New Deployment of Teachers
New Ways of Assessing Students
New Patterns for Involving Parents
Questions for Study Groups
Summary
Notes
5. A Return on Investment
Parents
Students
Teachers
Administrators
Questions for Study Groups
Summary
Notes
6. Implementing the K-8 Program
The Unfolding Process
Prerequisite Conditions
Acquiring Resources
Assessment
Putting It All Together
Questions for Study Groups
Summary
Notes
7. Validating Progress
Concept Development
Mission Statements
Curriculum Design
Instructional Features
Teachers
Parents
Facilities and Transportation
Technology
Resource A. Summary of K-8 Research Findings
Resource B. Standards Organizations
Resource C. Instructional Resource Sites on the Internet
Resource D. Teaching Through the Internet
Resource E. Glossary
References
Index

About the Author

Jon Wiles is a highly experienced educator who has provided curriculum leadership to schools and educational agencies for over thirty years. His specialty is the creation and implementation of curriculum plans. Wiles’s work as an educational consultant has taken him to hundreds of agencies in more than forty states and a dozen foreign nations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Wiles is the author or coauthor of twelve widely used books addressing curriculum and educational leadership. His text, Curriculum Development: A Guide to Practice (Seventh Edition), has been used for nearly thirty years in colleges and universities throughout the world to train curriculum leaders. Other areas of publication by Wiles include teacher training, administration, school supervision, theory of change, politics of education, middle grades education, and technology.

Reviews

“This book provides a clear and concise road map for turning the current trend towards K-8 schools to the advantage of children. The return to K-8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K-8.”
*Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director*

“As a middle school principal, I find many of these arguments compelling. This book makes a major contribution to the field of education. School leaders developing K-8 schools will find this book helpful.”
*Ed Sansom, Principal*

"A valuable resource for all educators. It not only provides a timeline of past mistakes and successes we’ve made educating students of these ages, but goes further to provide a prescription for future schools that emphasizes developmental levels, content, skill-building, and involvement of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”
*Marie Blum, Superintendent*