In Van Brummelen’s book there are four different curriculum orientations discussed. The four curriculum orientations discussed are "the traditional, the process / mastery, the experiential, and the Christian orientation" (p. 25). These orientations are essential to teaching and learning.
Each of these four different orientations is a bit different from the next one, but there are some things that are common among all of them. All of them have a set goal to attain, although the teacher makes the ultimate decision on how the goal will be met with his/her group of students. All four also have the goal in mind that the students leave knowing more than they did when they entered the classroom. Responsibility teaching takes part in each of the orientations in some way as well. In the text, responsibility teaching is defined as “viewing the person as unique, in the image of god” and calls on schools, teachers and even students to act responsibility and to be responsible in maximizing their own learning. (Van Brummelen, p. 38) This is particularly intriguing to me as a special education teacher. All of my students are very unique from one another and they all need different support to make sure they are successful inside and outside the classroom. Although the students that I work with daily have different goals in their IEP (Individualized Education Plan), the end result is mostly the same in the sense that they all turn out to be the “best they can be” in all areas of life. My students know what I expect and I am working daily to help them to expect more of themselves as well. Responsibility teaching also recognizes that not all students learn the same way, and works to utilize methods that will reach the students best. I