Curriculum Model

SHA NO VIA DA NIEL, A NNIE MA R MIO L & JENNIFER NEWMA N

The Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM)
...is a qualitatively differentiated curriculum structure of four
interrelated designs that can be used separately, or in combination,
to create or revise existing curriculum units, lessons, or tasks.

Tomlinson developed the PCM in an attempt to make lessons more

inclusive. The biggest advantage of the curriculum is that it can be
adapted for any subject domain, grade level, or learner.
The Parallel
Curriculum Model
(PCM)
Each of the four parallels offers a unique
approach for organizing content, teaching, and
learning that is closely aligned to the special
purpose of each parallel (Tomlison,
et.al,2008; Tomlison, 2001).
The Four Facets of the PCM Include:
1. Core: The essential nature of a
discipline
2. Connections: The relationships among
knowledge
Connections
3. Practice: The applications of facts, Core
concepts, principles, skills, and
methods as scholars, researchers,
developers, or practitioners
4. Identity: Developing students
interests and expertise, strengths,
values, and character
Practice
Identity
 Meeting the Needs of Gifted Learners

Opportunities to learn the Opportunities to learn Opportunities to transfer Opportunities for

core knowledge (enduring about the numerous and apply knowledge students to develop
facts, concepts, principles, relationships and using the tools and intrapersonal qualities
and skills) within a connections that exist methods of the scholar, and develop their
discipline
across topics, researcher, and affinities within and
disciplines, events, time, practitioner across disciplines
and cultures
Understanding the Four Dimensions
Core Curriculum, now known as Common Core Curriculum, is used in all classrooms and
is familiar for teachers.
An example of Curriculum of Connections would be using the information you gathered
in a science lesson to create charts and graphs during a math lesson.
An example of Curriculum of Practice would be students taking on the roles of
government officials when studying city planning. The teacher could assign the students
a job planning a new city and the students would need to use the knowledge they
gained through instruction to act as city planners and complete the activity.
The Curriculum of Identity helps students understand themselves better by asking them
to ruminate on how they felt taking on roles of professionals. The goal of this
curriculum is to encourage students to use metacognition to understand how well their
talents served them during a particular activity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKytj3j3hAM : Identity Curriculum
Evidence that
PMC is Being
Used:
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/ev
ery-learner/6682
In the video, teachers use real world
perspectives to engage academically
gifted learners. Students gain a better
understanding of the connection and
relationship that exist across topics.

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/pe
rspectives/6977
In the posters, students are applying
the core knowledge learned in class to
develop their perspectives.
 Evidence the PCM is Being Used:
PCM is being used by Laurel Grove School
Title: Virginia Studies
Subjects: Social Studies/Language Arts
Grades: 4th Grade
 Evidence the PCM is Being Used:
1. Summary of Lesson: Explores aspects of U.S., Virginia, and Fairfax County in
1800s-1900s, including Reconstruction and the Jim Crowe era. Students will
learn state and national governments and how the lives of African Americans
were affected.
2. Students will focus on discrimination and segregation. They will analyze primary
sources and follow the life of William Jasper. They will note the connections
between local events and state and national events.
3. Parallels Targeted: Core Curriculum is addressed in unit; Parallel of Connections
between historical events at local, state and national levels between past and
present; Parallel of Practice activities allowing students to work as a historian,
news reporter, and speech writer. They act as practitioners.
Resources
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6682

http://presentlygifted.weebly.com/parallel-curriculum-model.html

https://vimeo.com/81938954
Example of PCM in Creative Writing