Curriculum Design Service
Standards = what needs to be learned
Curriculum = a layout of the content, concepts, and skills students will learn to enable them
to meet the standards
The New York State Education Department is responsible for setting standards for what all students should know and be able to do as a result of skilled instruction. It is the responsibility of local school districts to develop curriculum based on these established standards.
Why Curriculum Map?
Student learning is best supported when goals are well defined. The greatest benefit to curriculum mapping is its ability to improve the links between curriculum, assessment, and instruction in schools. Curriculum mapping supports teachers’ efforts to track how many of the required standards, content and skills have been addressed and what remains to be covered. By having this in place up front, the teacher can spend more time focusing on instruction to best meet the needs of their unique learners.
Building the Foundation
This might include:
- Unpack State Learning Standards
- Identify Priority and Supporting Standards
- Determine the Units of Study and Assign Standards
- Create a Pacing Calendar
Unit Design
This might include:
- Operationalize the Priority Standards - what do students need to know and be able to do
- Big Ideas
- Essential Questions
- Key Vocabulary
- Concept/Skills
- Gathering Resources
Assessments
This might include:
- Pre-Assessments
- Common Assessments
- Summative Assessments
- Test Maps
Review Process
Curriculum maps should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis:
- Analyzing Data - What is being taught? What are students learning?
- Horizontal and Vertical Alignment
- Ensuring there are no Gaps or Duplications
Based on the review, members must decide what to Keep, Cut or Create.
Contact Us
If your district is interested in learning more about this work, please contact:
- Jessica Sheridan, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Director of Staff Development