Adopting a list of standards -- or, Power Indicators, as most districts have begun to identify -- is only the first step. To be implemented in the classroom, teachers must chunk the Indicators into meaningful ‘units' or sections which they arrange in the most appropriate sequence for teaching and learning across the year. In most cases, several Indicators need to be taught more than once, and these repetitions must also be strategically planned. The most effective tool for organizing Indicators is the Curriculum Map.

As its name implies, the Curriculum Map is a year-long ‘academic trip-tik' that indicates how the content Indicators are clustered and sequenced from September through June. Unlike other fixed or electronic Curriculum Mapping systems, the EdFOCUS approach customizes the layout and content for each school or district and keeps it in a flexible Word document for editing and adjustment as needed. Although each client designs the precise format needed to meet its own unique needs, they typically choose from the following elements:

• ‘unit' or section titles and duration ( e.g., "Finding Your Own Way" 3 weeks )
• the core content ( topics, ideas, genres, media ) around which the unit or section is organized
• the text and media to be used in delivering the instruction
• lead-up or enabling skills (that are requisite to mastery of the Indicators )
• process skills that describe the level of thinking and reasoning required of students for mastery
• technology applications
• cross-content integration, where appropriate
• placeholders for benchmark assessments
• key building events that will impact instruction ( e.g., holidays, parent conferences, high-stakes testing, etc. )

Teachers cluster the adopted Power Indicators (aka content standards) into thematic or topical ‘units' or ‘chunks' that represent the course content for an academic year, referred to as a Curriculum Map. Teachers typically place certain Power Indicators in more than one such ‘chunk' to provide students multiple opportunities for mastery.

These ‘chunks' are appropriately sequenced into an effective developmental flow. Many districts add other components to their Curriculum Maps, including key building events that impact instruction during the year (e.g., parent conferences, high-stakes testing, holidays, etc.), cross-content integration, or materials and technology.

The EdFOCUS staff reviews the Curriculum Maps developed by teachers to provide feedback. The Maps are produced in a Word document for each school or district and placed on their web-sites to expedite access and editing.