A Creative Curriculum uses professional standards and scientific research to identify the skills, knowledge and concepts important for students to acquire in all areas of learning including math, science, literacy, technology, social studies and the arts. More importantly, a Creative Curriculum clearly explains the most effective methods to teach these subjects to students in ways that respect the learning and developing processes of students.
An essential part of a Creative Curriculum is the arrangement of the classroom and learning centers. Schools using a Creative Curriculum aim to establish classroom structure that includes a daily schedule and routine with designated time for each activity and promote positive relationships by creating a classroom community. Typically, a Creative Curriculum classroom is set up into various interest areas such as art, discovery, music and movement, the library and computers.
A Creative Curriculum places a strong emphasis on defining the teacher's role in the classroom. According to the standards set by the Creative Curriculum, a teacher's role is an ongoing cycle of guiding the students learning and assessing the student's progress. Teachers learn the most effective method of using the interest areas and daily schedule and how to motivate the students as well as learn to use a variety of strategies to motivate student learning and increase student skills, understanding and knowledge.
The Creative Curriculum also places a strong emphasis on defining the family role. According to the strategy of the Creative Curriculum, school and home are the most important worlds to students. When a student effectively connects these two worlds, it often results in a feeling of security and enhanced learning, however, when these two worlds are at odds, the student will suffer. A Creative Curriculum connects these two worlds by encouraging parent-teacher communication and partnership to enhance the student learning.