The Holistic Curriculum

Holistic education is concerned with connections in human experience - connections between mind and body, between linear thinking and intuitive ways of knowing, between individual and community, and between the personal self and the transpersonal self. First published in 1988, The Holistic Curriculum examines the philosophical, psychological, and social foundations of holistic education, outlining its history and discussing practical applications in the classroom. This revised and expanded second edition concisely describes how holistic thinking integrates spiritual and scientific perspectives, drawing on romantic, humanistic, and other radical alternatives to the atomistic worldview of the modern age. The role of the teacher, the issue of accountability, and strategies for implementing the Holistic Curriculum are also discussed.

Providing a comprehensive overview of holistic education’s history, conceptions, practices, and research, this Handbook presents an up-to-date, global picture of the field. Organized in five sections, the Handbook lays out the field’s theoretical and historical foundations; offers examples of holistic education in practice with regard to schools, programs, and pedagogies at all levels; presents research methods used in holistic education; outlines the growing effort among holistic educators to connect holistic teaching and learning with research practice; and examines present trends and future areas of interest in program development, inquiry, and research. This volume is a must-have resource for researchers and practitioners and serves as an essential foundational text for courses in the field.

Originally published in 1988, The Holistic Curriculum addresses the problem of fragmentation in education through a connected curriculum of integrative approaches to teaching and learning. John P. Miller, author of more than seventeen books on holistic education, discusses the theoretical foundations of the holistic curriculum and particularly its philosophical, psychological, and social connections. Tracing the history of holistic education from its beginnings, this revised and expanded third edition features insights into Indigenous approaches to education while also expanding upon the six curriculum connections: subject, community, thinking, earth, body-mind, and soul. This edition also includes an introduction by leading Indigenous educator Greg Cajete as well as a dialogue between the author and Four Arrows, author of Teaching Truly, about the relationship between holistic education and Indigenous education.

In Holistic Learning and Spirituality in Education, scholars from around the globe address the theory, practice, and poetics of holistic education. Some of the topics explored include educating the soul; partnership education; nourishing adolescents' spirituality; education and the modern assault on being human; the Eros of teaching; personal creativity as soul work; pedagogies of compassion; and meditation, masculinity, and meaningful life.

With emphasis on preparing students for jobs, standards, and achievement testing, many think that North American education has become inwardly deadening, yet this book provides a counterbalance as it offers a way to nurture the soul in classrooms and schools.

Originally published in 1988, The Holistic Curriculum addresses the problem of fragmentation in education through a connected curriculum of integrative approaches to teaching and learning. John P. Miller, author of more than seventeen books on holistic education, discusses the theoretical foundations of the holistic curriculum and particularly its philosophical, psychological, and social connections. Tracing the history of holistic education from its beginnings, this revised and expanded third edition features insights into Indigenous approaches to education while also expanding upon the six curriculum connections: subject, community, thinking, earth, body-mind, and soul. This edition also includes an introduction by leading Indigenous educator Greg Cajete as well as a dialogue between the author and Four Arrows, author of Teaching Truly, about the relationship between holistic education and Indigenous education.

The need to reform secondary-level education to prepare young people for new economic realities has emerged. In an age of constant career changing, cognitive flexibility is a top-priority skill to develop in today’s students. This shift requires methodological innovation that enhances children’s natural abilities as well as updated, focused teacher education in order to prepare them adequately. Educational Reform and International Baccalaureate in the Asia-Pacific is a collection of innovative research that examines the development and implementation of IB curricula. Highlighting a wide range of topics including critical thinking, student evaluation, and teacher training, this book is ideally designed for educators, curriculum developers, instructional designers, administrative officials, policymakers, researchers, academicians, and students.

Forward by Nel Noddings This book includes papers written by teachers and how they engage holistic education in their classrooms. The papers come from a course taught by Jack Miller at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto entitled The Holistic Curriculum. This is a rich and diverse collection of papers showing how holistic education can be brought into public education despite the pressures of testing and other accountability measures. Although most of the teachers teach in public schools there are also examples from teachers working in private and post secondary settings. This book can inspire other teachers who are looking for ways to teach the whole person in a more connected manner. There are very few texts in the field of holistic education that include the voices and practices of teachers, particularly those working in public schools. Many of the examples of holistic education in practice come from Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and alternative schools. A unique feature of this book is the many different voices of teachers describing their work in the classroom; they talk about their successes, the challenges and even a few failures.

Holistic Education is the story of a young man who started out believing he could make a difference. It tells how he followed his heart, used his head, and put his hands to good use in making his dream of holistic education a reality.A true educator lives the life. It is not something they do for a career; it is, rather, a calling. I have had many roles in various education streams and, through the years, have learned things that worked and things that didn't. In this book, I share my insights, experiences, and thoughts in the hope they inspire young educators and motivate students to become teachers.Without education, a country cannot grow. It is the foundation upon which we build our future. I am honoured to have been a part of cementing foundations for many students and having an influence in their lives. The truth of it is, although I may have had an influence in their lives and for the good, I trust, they have had a marked influence on mine.Samuel K. Busulwa's passion has always been education. He was educated at Makerere University in Kampala and did his master's degree in theology in Alexandria, Virginia. He continued his higher education, at Columbia University in New York, where he focused on curriculum design, development, and implementation. He has served as headmaster at Masaka SS, Aggrey Memorial School, Mengo Senior School as Headmaster, and King's College Buddo. He became the first full-time Academic Registrar of Nkumba University, 2001 to 2009. Since leaving the education field, he runs a consultancy dealing with teacher training, coaching teachers on management and designing school curriculum. He has also been a member of the National Curriculum Development Centre.