Limited-Scope Curricula

In many classrooms, teachers use limited-scope curricula (LSCs) that focus on a single content area or developmental domain. These types of curricula frequently provide intensive, focused activities designed to develop specific skills and knowledge. Often, the decision to use a LSC is made because of a particular need or priority. For example, many early literacy programs are used with children who come to school with limited experience and language skills, and are designed to increase their chances for later academic success.

The list of options and sources of information about LSCs is extensive and fluid as new curricula are developed. The U.S. government sponsors two online sites that provide information and research findings about many different types of early childhood curricula. The National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC), for example, provides information about limited or single-domain curricula used in child care programs and preschools. The What Works Clearinghouse provides another tool for locating information about research on effectiveness of different types of limited programs.

LSC in early childhood classrooms are frequently used in conjunction with a comprehensive curriculum like High Scope or Creative Curriculum. In fact, both of these programs offer supplemental resources for literacy and math carefully designed to be consistent with the comprehensive curriculum goals, philosophy, and theoretical underpinnings. The Bank Street curriculum provides specific suggestions for literacy, math, science, art, music, and movement in addition to its general guidelines.

In other instances, however, particularly in the primary grades, it is not unusual for the entire curriculum to consist of a patchwork of different subject-area limited-scope curricula for literacy, math, science, social studies, and so on. A compatibility problem may arise when you find, for example, that the literacy program uses direct instruction, the math program relies heavily on manipulative materials, and the science program encourages open-ended exploration! In the next section, we will explore this challenge in more detail.