DEFINING CURRICULUM & CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT

Brooke A. Whitworth, Ph.D.Northern Arizona University

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GOALS FOR TODAY

• To gain an understanding of curriculum and curriculum mapping

• To begin developing a curriculum map for your courses

HOW DO YOU DEFINE CURRICULUM?

“Curriculum is the district’s written plan incorporating aspects of time use, content, and process aligned to standards and assessments that establishes a focus for instruction, assessment, staff development and management so student achievement improves.”

From Curriculum Alignment p. 143 David A. Squires

WHAT IS CURRICULUM MAPPING?

A method used to align instruction with desired goals and program outcomes:• Documents what is taught and when• Reveals the gaps in and across curricula• Helps design an assessment plan

WHY WOULD CURRICULUM MAPPING BE HELPFUL?

• Helps teachers pace instruction appropriately• Ensures instruction is aligned with standards and that all

standards are addressed• Focuses teacher instruction on the objectives/skills and essential

questions • Aids teachers in evaluating what is most important to teach• Aligns instruction to assessments• Encourages reflective practice• Prepares teachers for a discussion about curricular alignment

across courses

Adapted from Curriculum Alignment p. 147 David A. Squires

LET’S LOOK AT SOME EXAMPLES

• What should a curriculum map include?

WHAT SHOULD OUR CURRICULUM MAPS INCLUDE?

• Timeframe – How long are you setting aside for this topic?

• Unit – What is the content/concept you are going to teach?

• Objectives/Skills – What are the key abilities and processes students will develop related to specific content? (Written beginning with verbs.)

• Essential Questions – What are the “what”, “why”, and “how” questions to be addressed?

• Assessment – How are you going to assess students’ understanding of the content?

• Standards – What standards are addressed?

BREAK

STEPS TO MAP YOUR OWN CURRICULUM

• Using the template provided (or the one your department creates) begin to map out your own curriculum

• Start with what you are already doing in the course– What units do you teach throughout the year? – How long do they take?

• If you have a course curriculum map already, begin to check for alignment. – Are the standards aligned to the content? – Are the assessments aligned with the standards and appropriate

for the content?– Are there any gaps? Are you missing some standards? – How does your course align with other courses in your content

area?

REFLECTING AND THINKING ABOUT NEXT STEPS

• Did you find anything particularly difficult?

• Is there anything you felt you were missing or needed?

• What do you think you comes next?

• Any questions or concerns?

THANK YOU

BROOKE A. WHITWORTH, PH.D.BROOKE.WHITWORTH@NAU.EDU