Paper instructions:
Prepare a reply for each of the following observations. 1 page each. Each reply must be at least 200 words and contribute to the discussion by addressing the thread and supplying an additional experience, opinion, and/or biblical integration.

Part 1
A neutral curriculum is that curriculum that does not cover all aspects of coping with day to day life. This type of curriculum does not allow the students to draw their own conclusions about specific lessons that are being taught. As individuals, we need to be well rounded. This type of curriculum will not allow the students to conquer other areas that will encourage them to move forward in their education spiritually. They must understand the importance of Christ being a part of their lives. Philippians 4:13 states “I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me”. If we are using a neutral curriculum to teach our students, they will not be able to understand how they can be strengthened though Christ.

Education cannot be neutral when it comes to faith; it is either supportive or destructive. The topic of education is humanity, its savage treatment of its own kind. It’s willingness to endure self-sacrifice. You cannot learn or teach about humanity without considering God. How does a Christian teacher’s responsibility apply to a Christian school? According to Brummelen (2002), Christian school teachers need to remember three key points as they formulate their classroom curriculum. Those points are they must confidently initiate their students into their cultural and Christian heritage, they must encourage their students to grow in normal rational responsibility and they should show teacher commitment since they want to teach for commitment. How does a Christian’s teacher’s responsibility apply to a public school? A Christian teacher must understand the role of religion in public schools. The school approach to religion is academic not devotional. We have to be cautious about religion in the classroom. As a Christian teacher, we must think about the legal implications wherever we teach. We have to be careful not to promote one religion or faith group over another. In public schools, prayer has been taken out of the schools. It has been substitute with a moment of silence. As I look back over the years, I can say that taking prayer out of the school has caused a lot of problems. I have witnessed seeing more tragedies happening in schools, from school shootings to lawsuits for making biblical references. If we want God to protect us and be with us, then we cannot push him out. He works for us when we go to him in prayer and invite him in to our lives, schools, homes, etc.
References
Brummelen, Harro. (2002). Setting Out on the Curriculum Path. In Steppingstone to Curriculum (2nd ed).

Part 2
A neutral curriculum consists of curriculum topics being taught based upon impartiality. Teachers would not teach content based upon what they consider to be important. Van Brummelen (2002) states our worldview provides meaning and affects the way we teach (p.25). Teachers who embrace a neutral curriculum approach teaching from a more traditional viewpoint in comparison to their experientialist counterparts. The traditionalists and experientialist may both encourage a hand on approach to presenting content. Teachers who follow the neutral curriculum (traditionalists) believe in teaching basic skills by applying the skills to prior knowledge. However, the experientialist may not accept any knowledge original to students. According to the text, teachers should consider economic factors, social factors, political factors and cultural factors when developing a curriculum map (p.136-137). These factors would make a Christian teacher’s responsibilities look different in some ways in comparison with a Christian school and a public school. First, in a Christian school, one of the main objectives is for teachers to teach students about Christianity. Teachers are to nurture students by providing lessons and/or courses teaching them about Biblical principles. According to Romans 10:17,the scripture reads “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. In one Christian school (university) that I had attended, faculty and students participate in Chapel services led by faculty and students. Teachers and students are allowed and encouraged to pray openly in Christian schools. Next, in a public school, a Christian teacher’s responsibility would be different as it relates to teaching Christianity. In the public school, teachers do not teach Christianity. If students were to study Biblical principles in public schools, they study the principles more from a historical context not as a religious belief. Teachers in public schools do not participate in Chapel services and praying openly in schools. In public schools, teachers have to pray in the absence of the presence of students. In my opinion, the neutral curriculum approach is a good way for students to discover their strengths in education. For instance, the neutral curriculum does not support the teaching content to assess students learning according to standardized test guidelines. Students do not have the pressures of high stakes tests therefore they are able to flourish in their interests and abilities. Students’ interests and abilities may not be academically driven but may be more artistic. When I think of a neutral curriculum in Christian schools as compared to curriculum in public schools, I view a curriculum that is less rigid and more exploratory.
Reference:
Van Brummelen, H. (2002). Steppingstones to curriculum (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.