Curriculum Mapping: Improving Curriculum Communication

1
Curriculum Mapping Improving Curriculum
Communication

• Jeanette Borich and Staci Mayer
• Ankeny Elementary Schools
• Ankeny, Iowa

2
The focus of this session

• Mapping--an integration tool--the importance of
  making Connections
• The 2nd grade curriculumintegration and
  assessment
• Using sample maps to communicate about potential
  integration

3
Curriculum Mapping Defined

• A calendar-based technique for recording
  curriculum (content, skills, assessments, and
  essential questions)
• Allows data analysis of the fit between
  curriculum and assessment
• Assists teachers in identifying gaps and
  repetitions within curriculum

4
Components of a Curriculum Unit Map

• Essential QuestionsWhat is essential for the
  learner to explore?
• Content
• Skills
• Assessments
• Activities
• Areas to integrate

5
Alignment and Integration

• Alignment across elements
• Correspondence among components?
• Integration of skills?
• Standards and Benchmarks
• List included?
• Guide the development of the unit?
• Assessmentproducts or performances?
• Activitiesbest practices?

6
Mapping provides opportunities

• To gather information about what is taught
• To acquaint all district educators with all
  taught curriculum
• To examine data that indicates horizontal and
  vertical gaps in curriculum planning

• To identify potential areas for teaming and
  integration if appropriate
• To align the curriculum
• To discuss timeliness of taught curriculum

7
Districts initial focus--several years ago

• Established the districts essential questions
  and departmental standards
• Month by month mapping with instructional
  activities included

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Current focus

• 3. Revise and refine to align assessments,
  skills, content
• 4. Participate in data analysis for reading and
  problem solving
• 5. Learn use of Curriculum Compass

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Where we are going

• Integrate reading, writing, problem solving
  skills
• 7, Use technology to share maps with other
  teachers

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K-12 programs strengthened

• Articulation leads to proficiency in target
  languagemany teachers/styles of teaching.
• Individual teachers can build on previous years
  with a K-12 overview.

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Benefits for Teachers and Students

• Helpful guide for new teachers
• Maps identify gaps and repetitions
• Activitiesa way to share teaching ideas
• Potential to allow for teaming and integration
  among disciplines

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elementary foreign language a rationale for
mapping

• High-stakes testingWhen FLES connects to the
  core curriculum, student learning increases.

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National Standards for Foreign Language Learning

• Goal 3--connecting with other disciplines
  empowers students to acquire knowledge in
  different ways and skills that open new doors
• Standard 3.1reinforce/further knowledge of other
  disciplines through foreign language
• Standard 3.2acquire information/viewpoints only
  available through foreign language and culture

14
Integration challenges

• Complementing the curriculumwhen to teach
  similar topics
• Time to share and communicate so that real
  integration can happen

15
A closer look 2nd grade

• What we foundIs there evidence of integration?
• Reviewing the maps
• Dialogue journal assessment toolreview notes on
  assessment for alignment and integration
• Can we improve the integration of the curriculum?

16
Using sample mapsa small group activity

• What did you learn as you looked at this map?
• What info helps you as the foreign language
  teacher/designer of curriculum?
• How would you use the map and Goal 3 of the
  National Standards to build your own map? Improve
  your second language program?