“Sports and Activities” by FamiljenHelsingborg is licensed under CC BY 2.0

To me, curriculum is the map at the trailheads of a network of bike trails. Educators are the trail guides, responsible for knowing their sections of the trail. Often, the trail guides learn about their section of trail from other guides rather than looking at the map. The learners are the riders. The bottom of the trail is kindergarten, a wide, open space where learners can meander, play, and explore as they gradually learn the skills they need to get started. Some will wobble their way along with their fellow riders and little guidance from the trail guides. Others will need the guides to hold their seats a little longer. Still others may need training wheels. The goal for the guides has traditionally been to help every child get the tools, skills, and/or technology they need so they can travel the main trail. Many riders are happy to stay on the main trail with their fellow riders, enjoying the stops along the way. Others find the main trail too flat, too steep, or too crowded. The guides may choose to send them up different side trails where the knowledge and skills differ, but they will eventually rejoin the main trail. It doesn’t matter if riders take the corners high and slow or low and fast, as long as they do not wipe out, they will still get around the corners.

Near the top, the main trail splits and riders can choose which trails they want to use to complete their journey. At times, the guides at each section may invite riders to explore a choice of trails on their own or even to try blazing their own trails through the bush. The guides cannot lose sight of the riders and must use their own skills to make sure each one makes it to the next section of the trail. The guides are on bikes too and are developing their own skills on the trails so they can best help their riders. Over time, unused trails will grow over and new trails will emerge. Riders and guides are increasingly putting motors on their bikes, technology that will move us through the trails at a different speed and require different stops. The trail guides will help each other when it is time for a new map.