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Task 2: Applying Theories, Design Principles, and Evaluation Models
Western Governors University
D183 – Designing Curriculum and Instruction I
05:25:23 GMT -05:00
, A1: Description of Curriculum
The curriculum I have chosen to evaluate for this task is Wonders. Wonders is an English
Language Arts program that my district currently implements with our special programs.
Wonders was created by McGraw-Hill Education. It is an evidence-based literacy curriculum
created for grades K-5. It focuses on reading, writing, and speaking skills. This curriculum
provides a “comprehensive, integrated plan for meeting the needs of all students” (Shanahan et
al., 2024). Wonders allows for differentiation and is designed to help all learners experience
success with literacy skills, including English Language Learners (ELL). The goal of this
curriculum is to help educators deliver impactful, research-based instruction with scaffolded
supports and data-driven differentiation to teach, reteach, or extend literacy lessons (Shanahan et
al., 2024). Wonders aims to empower young learners to partake in an active role in their learning.
A2: Discussion of Design Principles
Scope is one of the design principles that can also be found in the Wonders curriculum.
Scope can be defined as topics, learning experiences, activities/centers, and organizing elements.
The scope of a curriculum makes up the content of the course or grade level that is to be taught
(Gordon et al., 2018). The Wonders curriculum includes a scope for grades K-5. The scope is
extremely detailed and includes the specified content, activities, and assessments for the lessons
for each unit. The big idea is highlighted for each week as well as explicit teaching directions
throughout the lesson. Wonders has created an adequate scope that provides teachers with the
confidence to successfully implement the curriculum.
The second design principle that can be found in the Wonders curriculum is sequence.
The sequence of a curriculum includes the order in which the organizing elements are arranged
by the developers of the curriculum (Gordon et al., 2018). The sequence provides educators with
05:25:23 GMT -05:00
Task 2: Applying Theories, Design Principles, and Evaluation Models
Western Governors University
D183 – Designing Curriculum and Instruction I
05:25:23 GMT -05:00
, A1: Description of Curriculum
The curriculum I have chosen to evaluate for this task is Wonders. Wonders is an English
Language Arts program that my district currently implements with our special programs.
Wonders was created by McGraw-Hill Education. It is an evidence-based literacy curriculum
created for grades K-5. It focuses on reading, writing, and speaking skills. This curriculum
provides a “comprehensive, integrated plan for meeting the needs of all students” (Shanahan et
al., 2024). Wonders allows for differentiation and is designed to help all learners experience
success with literacy skills, including English Language Learners (ELL). The goal of this
curriculum is to help educators deliver impactful, research-based instruction with scaffolded
supports and data-driven differentiation to teach, reteach, or extend literacy lessons (Shanahan et
al., 2024). Wonders aims to empower young learners to partake in an active role in their learning.
A2: Discussion of Design Principles
Scope is one of the design principles that can also be found in the Wonders curriculum.
Scope can be defined as topics, learning experiences, activities/centers, and organizing elements.
The scope of a curriculum makes up the content of the course or grade level that is to be taught
(Gordon et al., 2018). The Wonders curriculum includes a scope for grades K-5. The scope is
extremely detailed and includes the specified content, activities, and assessments for the lessons
for each unit. The big idea is highlighted for each week as well as explicit teaching directions
throughout the lesson. Wonders has created an adequate scope that provides teachers with the
confidence to successfully implement the curriculum.
The second design principle that can be found in the Wonders curriculum is sequence.
The sequence of a curriculum includes the order in which the organizing elements are arranged
by the developers of the curriculum (Gordon et al., 2018). The sequence provides educators with
05:25:23 GMT -05:00
