Curriculum Mapping KnowledgeBase

The Curriculum Mapping KnowledgeBase is an online resource supporting education professionals with the development and use of curriculum mapping as part of their instructional strategies. The KnowledgeBase is based on four elements derived from The Curriculum Mapping Planner: Templates, Tools, and Resources for Effective Professional Development authored by Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Ann Johnson, and published by ASCD.

Task 1: Define the Vision


Guideline: Wiktionary defines vision as an "an ideal or a goal toward which one aspires." As a district or school launches curriculum mapping, its vision delineates the roadmap for moving forward.

Defining a Road Map

This document from Ada (Oklahoma) City Schools offers an example of how one district defined a road map for the curriuclum mapping initiative.

Creating A Vision

The School Improvement in Maryland website addresses the importance of creating a shared vision to accomplish school improvement. This website may be useful to any group creating a shared vision.


Holding a Shared Vision Steady

This Michigan Department of Education newsletter describes a process for creating a shared school vision. Though the process focuses on a school-wide vision, it can be adapted to a project-related vision to implement other instructional tools.


Vision as the Compass

This link is to Chapter 1 Vision as the Compass of the New Principal's Fieldbook. This chapter discusses "Vision Defined," "Multiple Visions," "Creating a Personal Leadership Vision," and "Creating a Shared Vision."


 

Element 1: Lay the Foundation

Purpose: Applying curriculum mapping within a district or school begins with an understanding of the fundamentals. These include being knowledgeable about the basic concepts, defining a vision for the initiative, and creating a leadership structure to support it. Element 1 outlines these tasks and offers resources for the teacher to gain such an understanding.

Activity 1: Understand Curriculum Mapping Concepts

Activity 2: Create a Shared Vision for Curriculum Mapping

Activity 3: Define the Leadership Structure to Support Mapping

Element 2: Launch the Process

Purpose: Wiktionary dictionary defines launch as "to set going; to give a start to (something); to put in operation." Curriculum mapping is an ongoing process. The process involves creating maps that drive instruction, reviewing and improving those maps over time, and learning how to master mapping strategies. Element 2 outlines these tasks and offers resources for district and school leaders and teachers to launch curriculum mapping.

Activity 1: Using Curriculum Maps to Drive Instruction

Activity 2: Undertake a Review Process to Improve Instruction

Activity 3: Learn How to Master Mapping Strategies

Element 3: Sustain and Integrate the Mapping Process

Purpose: Curriculum mapping is an ongoing process as teachers review and update the respective maps regularly. The process of updating their maps enables teachers to think about how they can improve and update their instructional approaches. The Element 3 tasks address incorporating assessment results into the mapping process.

Activity 1: Conduct Ongoing Strategic Monitoring

Activity 2: Unpack Assessment Data

Element 4: Advanced Mapping Tasks

Purpose: Curriculum mapping is an ongoing process as teachers review and update the respective maps regularly . The process of updating their maps enables teachers to think about how they can improve and update their instructional approaches. The Element 4 tasks address applying new instructional techniques and integrating technology with curriculum.

Activity 1: Update Maps with 21st Century Techniques