Curriculum Mapping

Curriculum mapping is becoming more and more prevalent in schools today. Curriculum mapping is a system that educators use to address the total education of the students in a school building and district. It is a “system that thematically aligns assessment, curriculum, and instruction” (www.k-12.state.tn.us/tpd/currmap.htm). The goal is to be able to align curriculum both vertically and horizontally in a user-friendly manner.
There are seven steps of curriculum mapping that are based on the work by Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs. A curriculum team gets together and follows the following steps:
1. Collecting the data: This is where individual teachers gather material that shows what core skills are important, content taught, assessments that are used, and progress shown.
2. First Read-Through: Each team member reads through the material gathered to gain information and look for gaps, repetitions, meaningful assessments, alignment with standards, potential areas for integration, and timeliness. This should be done individually.
3. Small-Group Review: Members come together and share their findings from the first read through. Discussion is held and suggestions are recorded.
4. Large-Group Review: The small groups all come together into one large group and report out on their findings
5. Immediate Revision: Members address changes that can be made without further study.
6. Research and Development: A task force is assigned to do research and make recommendations based on the findings.
7. Begin the Cycle Process Again: Review and revision continue to keep maps up to date and aligned with the standards and objectives. (www.curriculummapping101.com)
There are several benefits to curriculum mapping. One of the most important being that it keeps the curriculum aligned both horizontally and vertically, as well as aligned to the standards. It can also reduce time being spent on shared planning. Teachers can follow the map and know what each other is doing. Mapping can reinforce to a teacher the value in what they are doing in the classroom. It also provides a great tool for communication between teachers within a school district, administration, parents, and community members. Another benefit of curriculum mapping is that it provides material for analysis of skills and assessment. It also makes it easy for new teachers to come into a school and know what is expected of them in the classroom.
There are several obstacles that a school will need to overcome when they are mapping. One is that it takes a lot of time and effort initially, and also to keep it up-to-date and current. There is also a lack of clearly defined goals. Some districts may find that there is a lack of agreement about the actual mapping form that is used. And finally, there is a lack of consistent vocabulary that is used.
Overall, curriculum mapping is a tool that is there to help schools and districts make sure that their curriculum is properly aligned within the district, as well as within the standards. If professional development is dedicated to making sure that everyone is on the same page with what is being taught and what is expected, we can hope that student achievement is followed.
Here is a clip on curriculum mapping from the expert herself, Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8etEUVzo2GE