Sheldon GlltonGrand Canyon UniversityEDU 546-O500
CurriculumMapFoundations
What is it?
This is a document that a teacher can use to plan their class weekly to ensure course standards are being met (Cescon, 2024). It ensures that the correct material and objectives are being taught from start to finish based on the goals of the class.
Pacing Guides
What is it?
A curriculum map shows a where student learning outcomes are taught and assessed within the curriculum. It ensures learning gains align with the content being taught (University of Northern Colorodo, 2020).
Curriculum Maps
What is it?
Lesson plans act as a roadmap for teachers to help them navigate instruction as it answers the question, "What should learners be able to do by the. end of the lesson?" (Central Michigan University, n.d.).
Lesson Plans
Reflection
Each one of the components of curriculum mapping including the actual curriculum map, the lesson plans, and the pacing guide start with the end in mind. Besides being each being collaborative, the process of curriculum mapping acts as a resource hub for instruction. According to Randles, assessments, activities are all in one place as teachers can build units together that can be multidisciplinary, while strengthening the faculty’s overall culture of collaboration (Randles, 2022). According to Cescon, the first step is to create the guide with the goal of the class and assess what are the students working towards and what skills will be necessary for students to be successful (Cescon, 2024). Curriculum maps utilize backwards planning for the creation of the lesson plans. The pacing guide uses backwards planning to address single or a wide range of goals. The pacing guide is usually derived from data gathered from state testing to drive decision making (Lynch, 2022). These provide a structure for what is to be taught on a weekly basis, which for new teachers, can be a useful tool. The lesson plan contains a list of objectives that should be taught within a given time frame. The lesson plan includes key learnings that will be taught and specific modes of instructional delivery. The beauty of the lesson plan, curriculum map, and the pacing guide is that each are vertically aligned with one another. Teacher can use each in tandem to ensure they are covering all necessary components and key learning objectives within the curriculum to ensure students are being driven towards meeting those desired goals and outcomes.
