| Abstract: | Twenty-five teachers with reputations for artistry in curriculum planning were interviewed about their “curriculum animation” plans or how they ensured their curriculum was brought to life. Their statements indicated that much of their planning is informal and intuitive, and that the criteria they use for their curriculum includes: (1) it is academically sound; (2) it is an enjoyable experience; (3) it fits well with a multitude of characteristics of their particular students; (4) it has variety, active participation, and a flow of energy; and (5) it is consistent with a personalized vision of education that goes far beyond the classroom. “Until a curriculum comes to life in the classroom, it remains only a plan and cannot affect what students learn” (Walker 1990, 343). |
