This first edition book offers very current treatment of curriculum issues, instructional planning, and new curriculum standards. The book integrates elements of the major historical, philosophical, and social influences upon past curriculum development. It compares traditional and futurist philosophies and describes the developmental aspects of children and their changing needs and interests within a framework of instructional expectations at specific grade levels. It also teaches the skills of curriculum development and instructional design. While a balanced coverage of viewpoints has been attempted, the book is intended to open new avenues by including educational futurism in a curricular model. It contains key chapter concepts, focus questions, a futurist curriculum model, actual units of instruction, and exercises for the reader to try.For educators at the elementary and middle school levels.