EdFOCUS Initiative Experts in Ohio State Testing Standards

Curriculum Mapping

Curriculum Mapping—an Aerial View of the Year’s Curriculum

The nation is full of school districts who have written Curriculum Maps based on content standards. But in our experience, many are not actually implementing the Maps on a consistent basis to guide their day-to-day classroom instruction. The Curriculum Maps themselves are like a movie script—essential to the final product but lifeless until it’s brought to life by the actual performance.

EdFOCUS helps grade-level writing teams (1) unpack each standard to fully understand what is meant by mastery (Click here to see an example of this “unpacking”); and then (2) cluster standards from several strands or domains into topical or thematic Units. These Units are then placed in the most appropriate sequence for teaching and learning—in the context of what occurred prior to, and what will follow. Several standards are strategically assigned to multiple Units, since they may be developmental and take several repetitions to master.

Unlike popular Mapping software programs, EdFOCUS customizes the Mapping format and graphics to the specifications of each district. EdFOCUS uses a standard “word” format and downloads each Curriculum Map to the building web-site to provide for easy access and allow for continuous editing. For sample Curriculum Maps in specific content areas and grade levels, contact EdFOCUS at (330) 842-1116 or e-mail kpeters@edfocus.org. Although each district selects its preferred features, the following are among the most frequently chosen:

  • “Unit” titles and duration (e.g., “Finding Your Own Way,” 3 weeks)
  • the major topics, ideas, and skills involved in each Unit
  • the print text and media featured in each Unit
  • process skills and the level of thinking or reasoning required for mastery
  • technology applications
  • cross-content integration, where appropriate
  • placeholders for benchmark assessments
  • key building events that will impact instruction
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