Spiral Approach in Teaching Christian Morality and Virtue Formation: Restoring Values and Ethical Awareness in the Curriculum

Abstract

In the K to 12 Curriculum of the Department of Education, a pedagogical strategy known as the spiral approach has been implemented. This approach entails revisiting foundational concepts and themes throughout the curriculum, progressively advancing in complexity and depth with each iteration, reinforcing prior learning. It contrasts a linear curriculum design, where topics are sequenced based on learners’ mastery levels. Similarly, within the realm of Catechesis, the spiral approach is employed, albeit often implicitly. While some aspects still adhere to a linear progression, specific subjects, such as Christian Morality and Virtue Formation, are situated within the curriculum based on learners’ cognitive readiness to grasp associated concepts and principles. This paper seeks to propose a spiral approach to teaching Christian Morality and Virtue Formation from Kindergarten to Senior High School, recognizing the imperative of reinstating values and ethics education, particularly considering recent societal challenges such as the pandemic-induced isolation experienced by youth. Implementing a spiral approach to teaching Christian Morality and Virtue Formation necessitates careful consideration of foundational principles and concepts, ensuring their integration across appropriate developmental stages from Kindergarten to Senior High. Additionally, the paper outlines a sample curriculum guide to facilitate the realization of this proposal, thereby fostering the holistic development of learners’ moral and ethical reasoning within a Christian framework.