Curriculum
By: Jim Westrick

What is curriculum mapping, and why does it provide an advantage over anything we teachers have been doing for the past 50 years? Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs is the best known researcher and promoter of mapping. She defines it in the following way: "Curriculum Mapping is a procedure for collecting data about the operational curriculum in a school and in a district-the instruction that students are experiencing."

For me, though, one word distinguishes a curriculum map from lesson plans, syllabi, scopes and sequences, textbooks, etc.: reality . Curriculum maps provide a record of what really happened in class. As such, they provide a unique look (perhaps the only look) at the actual curriculum within a school. And only by knowing the reality of what is actually taught in each classroom can we make the best decisions for our students.

A true curriculum map is not a plan of what we hope to accomplish - teachers already have plenty of those. While we often think of a map as a guide to get from point A to point B, the distinction is clear when you remember that you (the teacher) are creating the map. And only someone who has already been from point A to point B can describe how he got there. In this way, a diary map is built by teachers as the year progresses to record the journey. Typically, teachers work on their maps only once or twice each month during the year to build a diary map. Because a curriculum map is not nearly as detailed as a lesson plan, it should not take more than 30 to 60 minutes per month to create.

From here, teachers, curriculum committees, grade level leaders, etc. use these maps to promote the three Cs: communication, collaboration and coherence . Using curriculum maps as the foundation for informed decision making, teachers begin to communicate and collaborate like never before, looking for gaps and redundancy, focusing on real curricular data - all in the pursuit of a coherent K-12 curriculum.

I often hear from smaller, close-knit schools the reply, "But we talk all the time. We know what's happening in every classroom." These schools often end up surprised, not only because they discover much that was unknown, but also because even with a common curriculum, teachers focus on different areas, have different priorities, and, in many cases, hold a different understanding of what it means to acquire a certain skill. A curriculum map is the best way to examine and reflect on what was actually taught rather than the perception (or official syllabus) of what we hoped to teach.

When teachers share their maps with each other, curriculum adjustment and alignment can begin. For example, science teachers can read each other's maps to see what redundancies and gaps exist in the science curriculum. Move on further to share the maps with the math teachers to see where science and math can support each other. When are math concepts taught and when are those concepts used in science? Can science teachers reinforce the methods and terminology used in problem solving in math class? Can math teachers use science concepts within their problem-solving units? Continue expanding outward as other teachers read curriculum maps from the school. It is surprising how often topics relate to each other. Can writing skills be taught and reinforced within laboratory reports? What scientific process occurs as glazed clay is fired in a kiln? How does physics explain why musical harmonies are pleasing to the ear? The list goes on and on.

When diary maps are complete, teachers can then work together using this information to create a consensus curriculum map for each subject or course. There are important differences between a consensus curriculum map and a syllabus or scope and sequence. First (and most important), this consensus curriculum map is based on reality (diary maps), rather than optimistic wishing or hardened "we have no choice - we have to cover it all" resignation. A consensus map is grounded in reality and, thus, more accurately reflects a realistic course for the year. Second, a consensus map not only includes content, but also the skills that students will acquire as well as the assessments involved. Finally, a consensus map is created by teachers who best know their students and their needs.

This process then continues as teachers record what was actually taught, comparing this to the consensus map. When summer comes, this real data is used to tweak the consensus map to better reflect the reality of each classroom. The days of a photocopied curriculum that sits on a shelf gathering dust are over. The curriculum at the school is now "living." It changes and grows over time, reflecting the reality of the classroom and the needs of students.

There are many ways to create a curriculum map, from pencil and paper to computer templates to online software. The first step is to consider what's appropriate for your school's needs. Perhaps writing maps in Microsoft Word or Appleworks is all you need (at least for now). If you want to use sophisticated analysis tools, generate reports about your curriculum or link the curriculum to assessment data, then an online software system is the way to go. The important thing is to look at all your options, considering time, cost and your action plan to choose the route that's best for you.

Many teachers have said to me that curriculum mapping is just common sense, and I agree. Curriculum maps allow teachers to communicate and collaborate as they never have before because they provide timely data to make informed decisions. In short, it puts the power of curricular decision making in the hands of those who are best equipped to do it: classroom teachers.

We all know (and research supports) that students are best served when we as teachers understand a more complete picture of their educational journey.

Jim Westrick is president of Curriculum Mapper, www.curriculummapper.com .

 

Product Roundup

Summit
Summit is an educational Christian ministry whose very existence is a response to our current post-Christian culture. Today, countless Christian youth have fallen victim to the popular ideas of our modern world. Most have adopted these ideas into their own worldview, while still others go on to renounce their Christian faith altogether. To combat this trend, Summit offers a wide range of worldview curricula for all grade levels: Building on the Rock is a uniquely integrated worldview/Bible survey curriculum for 1st-6th grades. It is designed to help students formulate a distinctively biblical worldview for interpreting and applying the truths of Scripture and all school subjects. Lightbearers is an 8 th grade curriculum that lays the groundwork for both worldview thinking and the Christian worldview. And lastly, Understanding the Times is a 12 th grade curriculum that equips students to defend the Christian worldview and trains them to analyze competing worldviews.
www.summit.org


Hands-On English
Hands-On English, Second Edition , is a 192-page handbook that gives quick access to the basics of English. It makes grammar visual by using functional symbols for parts of speech. These symbols can be combined to show the basic structure of various sentences. In addition to grammar, Hands-On English includes usage, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, reading, and writing. Alone, Hands-On English is a valuable reference for students and teachers. With its companion products (practice pages, a card game, and visual aids) it becomes the cornerstone of a language arts curriculum. Because information in Hands-On English is easy to find and easy to understand, the handbook helps students -- both gifted and at-risk -- develop independence and confidence with English. Since it has no grade designation, the handbook can be used with any level(s) for which you deem it appropriate -- from fourth grade through adult.
www.GrammarAndMore.com


Alpha Omega Publications
Alpha Omega Publications has been providing high quality Christian curriculum since 1977. Our two most popular curriculum options are perfect for any size school. Our LIFEPAC curriculum is a set of worktexts that presents topics through mastery learning. The five core subjects are broken down into ten units with an accompanying teacher guide. These units allow for individualized and customized learning. Whether you are looking to fill a learning gap or fill an academic year, LIFEPAC helps your students build the following essential foundations: knowledge, mastery, confidence and character. Switched-On-Schoolhouse is a computer-based program that captivates students' minds with a multi-sensory approach. Your students can see, hear, interact and internalize their learning. Time-saving features, such as automatic grading and record keeping, free up teachers so they are able to spend more time working with their students.
www.AOP.com


HEC Reading Horizons
Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself/Reading Horizons is a low-level reading program developed in the 1970s, that is easy to teach and easy to learn, focusing on the 42 sounds of the alphabet and seven decoding skills. The program uses Orton-Gillingham based principles that incorporate multi-sensory teaching techniques, so students learn quickly how sound and letter relationships create words. Reading Horizons software (AGES 10+) is sold to Middle and High Schools. It allows students to receive individualized reading instruction at their own pace. In the elementary market (AGES 4-9), teachers receive 2 - 3 days of training and are provided with Teacher's kits with no consumable material.
www.readinghorizons.com


School Zone
School Zone Publishing's award-winning line of flash cards, workbooks and interactive software is widely recognized by educators and parents alike. School Zone has introduced a new series of bilingual products aimed at helping children, preschool through fourth grade, learn essential skills while also gaining proficiency in two languages. School Zone's new bilingual products offer the versatility of two great ways to learn by providing Spanish and English translations of all content. A unique feature of School Zone's bilingual software is the ability for children and their parents to toggle back and forth between English and Spanish in real time just by clicking on the language flags located on each screen. With School Zone's new bilingual software, an instant translation between languages is available, significantly improving the ability to study and learn each language. www.schoolzone.com


BJU Press
Interactive teaching ¾ using discussion and critical thinking questions ¾ helps students make a connection between what is being taught and their life situations. Realizing that the subject is "useful," students become eager participants. They learn to think inductively, evaluating and forming ideas. And they become lifelong learners. BJU Press philosophy has always been that students should be led to Truth through thinking. Placing the teacher at the helm, as the both question-asker and question-prompter, BJU Press materials help draw students deep into their subjects. This kind of teaching requires students to exercise judgment and gives them the sense of challenge and purpose they crave. It prepares them to become the Christian leaders of the next generation.
www.bjup.com


The Choice Game
The Choice Game CD ROM/DVD Curriculum through the use of the computer places students in real life situations where they can make decisions and then they must deal with the consequences of their unique decisions. The Choice GameT Curriculum is based on Bandura's Social Cognitive Learning Theory which emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes and the emotional reactions of others. Celebrity Narrators including Stephen Baldwin lead the students through over 100 critical decisions in the areas of drugs, teen pregnancy, peer pressure, alcohol, family, communications, media and other complex problems. Student and parent workbooks are available.
www.thechoicegame.com


Live Wire Media
For 18 years, Live Wire Media has been creating, publishing and distributing educational media for character education, youth guidance and life skills. Their award-winning materials (including K-12 videos and CD-ROMs) are designed to help young people become caring, respectful, responsible people who think critically, resolve conflicts non-violently, and make choices based on what is right. They encourage you to check out their free resources Web site, www.goodcharacter.com, for loads of information, including lesson plans, discussion questions, writing assignments, group activities and lots more.
www.livewiremedia.com


Mosdos Press
Mosdos Press presents world-class literature for middle school and high school: classic and contemporary works that are broadly representative, intellectually challenging and morally framed. Their curriculum is rigorous and engaging, and it thoughtfully explores family values and ethics. Mosdos Press is dedicated to excellence in the teaching of literature, writing, vocabulary and language arts. Mosdos Press Teacher's Editions are detailed, well-organized and innovative. And, their consumable Student Companion Workbooks take the tedium out of language and analytical exercises. Students will enjoy learning through witty and instructive activities. www.mosdospress.com


I Support Learning
I Support Learning, an educational curriculum design company in Olathe , Kansas , has announced the release of the first interactive video game development curriculum designed for grades 6-12 in the United States . The Video Game Development Curriculum teaches programming basics, design, and problem solving through the creation of unique 3-D video games. The self-directed, entirely computer-based curriculum teaches students how to create games with their own images, voices, music and ideas. The unique training videos allow students to learn at their own pace. Upon completion of the first project, students will have created a video game that they can save onto a CD and play on any PC. I Support Learning curricula also include areas such as artificial intelligence, horticulture, landscape design, robotics, and video music. All are designed to meet national standards in math, language, science and technology.
www.isupportlearning.com