Suggested Reading

The books below are suggested readings for anyone who intends to enter the field of curriculum. When this class is long over and your post-graduate work ends, I recommend that you add some of these titles to your personal reading library.

As the course progresses, feel free to recommend other titles as we come across them.

Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction - Ralph Tyler
Written in 1949, this book still sets the framework for curriculum writing.




America's "Failing" Schools - James Popham
Written in understandable terms for an audience of parents, Popham covers areas of assessment that curriculum workers need to know.



A Framework for Understanding Poverty - Ruby Payne
Payne explores cultural reasons for the achievement gap.




The World Is Flat - Thomas Friedman
Plenty of valid reasons why we need to teach differently and prepare students to be globally competitive.




Classroom Instruction That Works - Robert Marzano
Finally, a science to teaching! Research-based evidence of teaching practices that increase student achievement.


Writing With Spice - Mike Devono
Local southern NJ author shows how he developed a method to improve student writing achievement based on 30 years of practical in-classroom applications.


Understanding By Design - Grant Wiggins & Jay McTighe
The book shows how to design a curriculum by starting with the core curriculum content standards and essential questions. Wiggins recently helped NJ revise and align its standards.