Click for a free sample of the PennSTAR Master Curriculum:
4,830 Objectives and 2,719 Activities

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Using the PennSTAR Master Curriculum for Creating a Curriculum or IEP [Individualized Education Program]

©2000 G. Edwin Lint

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Content Overview:

Organization of the Master Curriculum Files

Each of the objectives in the master curriculum  is identified with a 6-digit numeral.  The first two digits signify the Subject Area, from 0 to 16.  The third and fourth digits show the Goal Areas within the 16 Subject Areas.  The fifth and sixth digits represent the individual Objectives within the Goal Areas.  For example, the numeral 070222 indicates the following:

The Master Curriculum disk has 17 database files that contain objectives.  File 00 contains the complete master curriculum with all 16 Subject Areas, and all 103 Goal Areas within the various Subject Areas.  This master file is useful for doing word searches across the entire curriculum.  For example, if you ask your software to Find objectives, which contain the word computer, you'll get the 17 instances where computer appears in the text of an objective.

In addition to the 00 file that contains all objectives, there are 16 individual Objectives files, one for each of the 16 Subject Areas.

Here are the 103 Goal Area names with their ID numbers:

ORGANIZATION OF THE ACTIVITIES FILES
There are 16 Activities files, one for each subject area.  There are four tab-separated fields for each activity.  Field 1 contains an ID consisting of an alpha character and up to three numeric places.  Field 2 contains the text of the activity.  Fields 3 and 4 are blanks that you can use for any purpose.

These files should not be imported into any database that does not allow an unlimited text field or only the first couple lines of the activity will appear; the rest will be truncated (omitted) by the software.  FileMaker Pro for Mac and Windows is a database program that will import the full text of all activities.

Activities files may be imported into a word processor program such as WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, or the word processor module of Microsoft Works or ClarisWorks.  Since the fields are tab-separated, WordPerfect and Microsoft Word will let you convert your activities file into a table consisting of rows and columns.  This table can then be sorted on individual columns by the contents of the cells in that column.

IMPORTING YOUR MASTER CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITIES FILES INTO DATABASE AND WORD PROCESSOR SOFTWARE

Objectives files may be imported into database or word processor applications.  The text field in the Activities files will be too large to import into most database applications, with the exception of FileMaker Pro.

Import suggestions.  Follow these steps:

1.         (a) Open your database or word processor application,

            (b) select the 3.5-inch drive,

            (c) select the type file (ASCII text) to be imported and scroll to the .txt extension;

            (d) make sure the folder you want is open.  All .txt filenames in that folder will be displayed.

2.         Check the enclosed list of filename(s) for the specific file(s) you wish to import.  On a Windows disk, the Objectives files and Activities files are in two directories with cryptic filenames of no more then 8 characters plus the .TXT extension.  The directories are named DOSOBJTS and DOSACTS. Mac files have plain English names and are in separate folders for Objectives and Activities..  Refer to the list of all file names for more information.
If you are using Microsoft Works DB, your file may open in the single record mode.  Pull down the View menu and select List.  Now you will see the objectives in a grid, one under the other.

3.         If you have difficulty importing your files, check your software's user manual.  Some manuals will call importable files text files; others will call them ASCII^[3] files. 

4          If you are using FileMaker Pro to import your Activities files, follow these steps.

Open FileMaker Pro and create a new file.  This new file should have at least two fields.  Field 1 will receive the ID code, which begins with an alpha character.  Field 2 will contain the text of the activity.

Pull down File and select Import.  A progress graphic will show you how the import is coming along.

For additional information, consult the documentation that came with your software, as well as the computer specialist in your district or building.

If you still have trouble importing or using your new files, write me a note (edlint@diskbooks.org) and describe the problem.  Include the type computer you are using  (Mac, Windows).  Also, tell me the kind of software you are using, with version number.  I'll do my best to answer your questions and help you solve your problems.

USING PennSTAR HOME SchoolMaster CURRICULUM TO HELP YOU DEVELOP AN ENTIRE CURRICULUM OR AN INDIVIDUAL IEP

PennSTAR provides the raw material to develop an entire curriculum or an individual IEP [Individual Education Program]. Answers for two critical questions are provided:

a] What do I teach in the form of Objectives, and
b] How do I teach it, in the form of Activities. 

There is nothing automatic about the selection process. The closest PennSTAR will come to matching activities to objectives is the alphabetic coding of the Activities:  A through R , as assigned by the authors of the original activities.  For example, codes that begin with G are for Reading and Codes that begin with J are for math. [See list, above.] However, human skill is required to assign the most appropriate objectives and match activities to objectives.

When you're ready to develop a curriculum, or IEP, consider this sequence of events:

(a)    Identify the Objectives [in terms of skills, abilities, and knowledge] that this student will need in order to realize his/her major life goals, expressed as exit or transition outcomes. You’ll notice that PennSTAR Objectives always begin with a present tense verb:  Writes… Reads… Spells… Tells … Etc.

(b)   Link the selected objectives with Activities that are likely to assist students in achieving those objectives.

(c)    Select materials, methods, and other activities that are not listed in the Activities Files.  Examples:  Textbooks are considered materials, games are activities, and such things as token reinforcement are methods.

(d)   Use the materials, methods, and other activities that you feel are most likely to assist this student in achieve the selected Objectives.

(e)   Avoid using a material, method, or activity just because it is readily available, a personal favorite, relatively inexpensive, or listed in a written curriculum or textbook.  Make sure the materials, methods, and activities are the best available for helping the student achieve the selected Objective[s].

 

Teachers-- and parents who are homeschooling--
Download the PennSTAR Master Curriculum

Click to learn how to:

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Click to order the Entire PennSTAR Master Curriculum Downloaded to Your Desktop as a Single PDF File for $20 Free sample below... This product is an excellent tool for creating IEPs and curricula. It consists of the following components: 16 Subject Areas 105 Goal Areas under the Subject Areas 4,830 Objectives under the Goal Areas 2,719 Suggested Activities for achieving the objectives.

Click to Download a PennSTAR Master Curriculum Free Sample to Your Desktop as a PDF File [The Subject Area of the Sample is Reading. The sample consists of 219 Objectives and 322 Suggested Activities.]

Free [for S & H]: The PennSTAR Master Curriculum outcomes in original, corner-stapled hard copy. While they last! All 4,830 outcomes/objectives. Click to pay $5 via PayPal

 

Using NotePad, WordPad, and Simple Text
If your windows computer has NotePad or WordPad, just double-click the file icon you want to open and it will be displayed on your screen.  Smaller files will open with NotePad; larger files will need WordPad.  Most newer windows computers have NotePad preinstalled.  You may not have WordPad unless you have Microsoft word installed on your hard drive.[Macintosh users may be able to open smaller files with Simple Text by double-clicking.]

If you do not have WordPad and the file is too large for NotePad, you will have to import the file into a regular word processor or database program such as Microsoft word.  Follow the instructions above to import a PennSTAR file into your program.