Based on constructivist learning theory, The Multiple Menu Model presents six practical menus that guide curriculum developers as they bring together an understanding of a discipline, its content and methodologies, and a vast array of instructional techniques. Teachers have successfully used this approach to challenge learners on all levels and make learning more meaningful, relevant and engaging.

Knowledge Menu: Aides educators as they locate a topic in the realm of knowledge, uncover the basic principles and concepts, and explore the methodology used by practicing professionals in the field.

Instructional Objectives and Student Activities Menu: Helps teachers address issues of balance between content and process objectives as they write curriculum.

Instructional Strategies Menu: Reminds educators of the wide range of teaching strategies they can use within a lesson or unit.

Instructional Sequences Menu: Helps educators organize and sequence a unit or lesson to maximize impact and outcomes.

Artistic Modification Menu: Encourages teachers to inject the curriculum with their own creative contributions: personal stories, collected memorabilia, hobby materials, etc.

Instructional Product Menu: Presents the outcomes of learning experiences.

Using the six menus, step-by-step planning guides, and reproducible templates, curriculum developers can:

-challenge all students with opportunities for "high-end" learning

-place a premium on organization and pursuit of authentic knowledge

-use "real-world" investigative skills in the classroom

-blend advanced content and higher level thinking processes

-teach enduring concepts and principles instead of trendy topics and transitory information

-focus on representative topics which are used as a vehicle for process development

-inject personal stories, experiences, realia into lessons to heighten motivation and engage imagination

-differentiate lessons to meet the needs of all students

-engage students in pursuing topics of their own personal interest and producing authentic products of their own choosing

Teachers using the Multiple Menu Model provide challenging curriculum opportunities for all students and guidance for exploring and applying knowledge in the real world.

To read the introduction to Multiple Menu Model, click here.