Curriculum from Kinder to Senior high school
Before, curriculum for kinder, elementary and high school depends on the publishers and authors of CL series. There is no one curriculum that can serve at least as guide to all Catholic schools to ensure faith formation. In effect, there are unnecessary repetitions of knowledge and learning activities. Last 2013, in response to the K-12, CEAP-NCR took the initiative to come up a curriculum from K-12 by carefully studying the different books from various publishers. The commission on religious education and formation headed by Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa (overall coordinator of the series Signs of the Times) and Dr. Pilar Romero from University of Sto. Thomas, Manila, did the work. The curriculum was presented to the president, and was approved to be used by the Catholic schools voluntarily. It is the same curriculum approved by CEAP-NCR that Signs of the Times curriculum implemented and brought to flesh.
National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines and Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education
The Signs of the Times remain faithful to the Catechetical methods being used by the Catholic Church in the Philippines namely, multiple integrations, inculturation and community forming (CL teachers know about these)
21st century skills (learning and innovation skills, communication and collaboration skills, life and career skills; and information, media and technological skills)
The Signs of the Times help in developing the 21st skills to the students. The Curriculum Map shows the particular skill being development in every activity and part of the lesson.
A more systematic, and concise presentation of lessons
Signs of the Times try to find a way to make the presentation of lessons easy for students to understand. The contents are divided into different subparts to ensure focus. It avoids one or two whole pages discussing one topic to the point that students lose themselves in the course of reading. (Please check Knowing Lovingly part of the Worktext)
DepEd Value Focus (Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao)
Signs of the Times consider the different values in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao and other Christian values. In every lesson (first page), the value is defined as how it is used in the topic.
Perforated Worksheets
Signs of the Times provide worksheets which the teachers can use as other activity or for assessment purposes. It is perforated so that teachers can take it from the students for checking.
Lectio Divina/ paraliturgy
Signs of the Times integrate prayer time for the students. Lectio Divina is for Grade 7-12 while paraliturgy is for Kinder to Grade 6. This is to consider the level of the students and ensure that it will be used.
Advance organizers and pictures to facilitate learning
Signs of the Times uses advance organizers to help students understand the lesson and find a way to synthesize the lesson. Synthesis is one of the important parts in lesson planning which is sometimes neglected already.
DepEd 2015 Assessments (Performance Tasks, Quarterly Assessments, and Written Works)
Signs of the Times implements the DepEd 2015 assessments. THe book offers performance tasks per lesson and per unit (doable and meaningful), lesson quiz, unit tests, perforated worksheets for written works and other activities (check Understanding Fully part of the worktext).
