Curriculum+Mapping

According to Professional Development 21 (2011), curriculum mapping is a process of collecting data electronically on a database of a school's curriculum started by Heidi Hayes Jacobs. A school's subject content, assessments, instruction, and curriculum are aligned to provide authentic and systematic examination of the curriculum. In addition, PD21 (2011) states the main tenets of curriculum mapping are: Books //The Curiculum Mapping Planner: Templates, Tools, and Resources for Effective Professional Development// by Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Ann W. Johnson //Getting Results With Curriculum Mapping DVD for mplementing Comprehensive Curriculum Mapping// //Mapping the Big Picture: Integrating Curriculum and Assessment K-12// //These resources are located at ASCD.org.// //Articles// //Information Specialist and Leader Taking on Collection and Curriculum Mapping// by Jody Howard Academic Search Complete database Curriculum Mapping Our Way to Relevance by Jake Giessman Academic Search Complete database //Websites// [|www.curriculum21.com] provides a host of material on curriculum mapping by Heidi Hayes Jacobs.
 * Description of Approach**
 * Curriculum mapping provides a consistent core curriculum.
 * Curriculum mapping is a tool to revise and edit subject matter and connects other schools within a state, nationally, and internationally.
 * Curriculum mapping aligns components of a curriculum such as resources, content, skills, assessments and essential questions.
 * Curriculum mapping defines gaps and repetitions vertically and horizontally in a curriculum.
 * Curriculum mapping integrates cross-curricular skills such as technology, reading, and writing by connectng curriculm, instruction, assessment, and professional development.
 * Curriculum mapping is an on-going communication tool between grades k-12 about teaching and learning.
 * Curriculum mapping provides a common language for staff and assessment.
 * Information Resources**

In a series of You Tube videos Heidi Hayes Jacobs explains curriculum mapping. According to Jacobs successful implementation requires 4 phrases. The four phrases of curriculum mapping You Tube (2007) state the first phrase, laying the foundation, is when leaders and followers gain an understanding of the process. One should research before starting mapping. In other words, know the staff's level of knowledge, what other schools are doing, and take courses on the subject. Leaders should determine the why, what, and type of software neded before launching mapping. The next phrase is launching. Launching is sharing the foundational research with colleagues. Ensure a successful beginning by forming leadership teams for each building of a school. The third phrase, sustaining and integration, involves developing short-term goals with a long-term vision. The final stage is mapping for the future. Mapping for the future is continuous developing and improvement of mapping skills. The writer has no experience working with the approach, but according to Jacobs You Tube (2007) What is Curriculum Mapping, a challenge is the process takes time. Schools should first decide if mapping is right for their school. Different people and diferent grades have different needs, so before starting mapping a consistent plan should be developed. Jacobs also state benefits to curriculum mapping include immediate visuals of gaps in curriculum.Mapping eliminates repetition of instruction. Leaders and followers have authentic visual information which will guide their next steps to improvement. Finally, mapping can be shared globally. When implmenting this approach, leaders of curriculum development should consider according to Jacobs You Tube (2007) the people or staff, forming leadership teams, and researchng mapping before determining if this is right for their school. People must reach a consensus on goals and the time needed to invest in mappin. Every building of a school has different needs. A leadership team may work with teachers and curiculum leaders to form a blueprint of what is needed for their level of instruction. Laying the foundation will provide information on the usefulness of maps.
 * Strategies and Ideas for Implementation**

References Book resources ASCD.org Curriculum 21 Professional Development (2011). What is curriculum mapping? Retrieved from [|www.curriculum21.com]. The four phrases of curriculum mapping. (2007). Retrieved from [|www.youtube.com]

By Barbara Moore