Curriculum Mapping

What is Curriculum Mapping?

Curriculum Mapping is the documentation and discussion of what we teach.

It is a collaborative process that helps us understand teaching and learning throughout the Elementary, Middle, and High School .

Why Use Curriculum Mapping?

• It benefits ALL students.

• Mapping is a COMMUNICATION tool.

• Mapping is a PLANNING tool, it keeps us FOCUSED and targets essential information.

• Promotes PROFESSIONALISM and teaching creativeness.

Benefits

• Mapping replaces repeat teachings.

• Mapping allows us to focus on fewer goals, and therefore, teach concepts in greater depth.

• Mapping eliminates wasted review and expands teaching time.

• It vertically shows curriculum steps.

What Happens With Curriculum Mapping?

• Departments can investigate the map to identify gaps in the vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.

• Teachers can assess what students mastered in the preceding grade and focus on building skills and knowledge.

Curriculum MappingAttempts to:

• Create a “snapshot” of the educational activities of every classroom.

• Capture the content skills and assessments taught by every teacher.

• Organize this information into an easily accessed visual that presents a timeline of instruction.

Sample Curriculum MapEssential Questions

Content

(noun)

Skills

(verb)

Assessment Activities

August

September

October

November

December

Essential Questions…

• Focus on a broad topic of study.

• Have multiple answers and perspectives. They address “why” or “how”.

• They are “mental Velcro” that helps ideas stick in students’ minds.

Essential QuestionsExamples

• Which is more important – water or air?

• What is change?

• What does it mean to be free?

Content

• Content is the essential concepts and topics covered during a month.  

• Content is written beginning with a noun.

ContentExamples

• Cultural diversity

• Water cycle

• Bridge to Terabithia

• Local Government Systems

• Fire Safety

Skills

• Skills are key abilities and processes students will develop related to specific content.

•  Skills are written beginning with a verb.

Skills Examples

• Reading a map

• Writing a play

• Analyzing non-fiction text

• Writing persuasive essays

• Matching words and pictures

Assessment

• Assessments are the products or performances that demonstrate student learning.

• Assessments are what the student does (the actual product or performance), not the evaluation tool used to assess the product.

Assessment Examples

• Group presentation• Brochure• Research Paper• Essay exam• Puppet show• Debate

Activities

• Key activities that lead to acquisition of knowledge and skills.

• Describe the "how" for the knowledge and skills.

Activities Examples

• Writing persuasive letters to local government officials

• Analyze water samples from local river • Critique a work of art• Create a 50 states quilt