COURSE 2 Mapping the Magnet Theme Into the Curriculum

Leverage Resources to Deepen Knowledge

Teams have many professional resources they can tap to deepen their knowledge base on a theme-related topic or their understanding of how theme can be integrated in different content areas. Teachers may want real-world examples from experts in the field or opportunities to see firsthand how another class or magnet site is integrating the theme.

Create Collaborative Opportunities

As part of professional development, provide teacher teams with collaborative opportunities to:

• Observe how the theme is integrated into instruction in other classrooms or at other magnet sites for cross-pollination of ideas.
• Plan and learn with industry experts or professors/instructors from higher education to inform development of overarching questions or new areas of the curriculum.
• Cultivate relationships with external partners in the community.
• Exchange information on the Magnet Connector and with the program-level learning community, about how other magnet schools or teachers integrate theme into a particular topic or unit of instruction.
• Invite guest speakers to discuss resources, updates, ideas, or applications in theme-related fields.
• Meet with science, literacy, or math coaches, especially if they are from a different content area than that of the team.