Step 1: Introduce the Mapping Process
During your first meeting with either the Pilot Team or any subsequent teams, explain how mapping the theme into the curriculum will help to strengthen curricular coherence and integrate the theme in a meaningful way. If the grade-level or content-area teams have existing curriculum maps, they should review and revise the maps to ensure that they include important components.
Set the Stage
- Download the Introduction to the Mapping Process Protocol (.doc) to structure the curriculum mapping conversation and process for the team.
- For the initial mapping session, have the team bring their lesson plans, scope and sequence guides, existing curriculum maps, and any theme-related materials they may find helpful.
- Watch the video Magnet Theme Mapping in Action (6-minutes) with the team and discuss the aspects that are most beneficial and relevant to your site’s theme integration work.
- Share the Sample Integrated Curriculum Maps (.doc) with the team to review examples of original and updated curriculum maps and to see the evolution of one set of maps.
- Provide the Curriculum Map Template (.doc) and an overview of the primary components to be addressed.
- Direct the team to focus initially on mapping the curriculum of just one existing unit of 4–5 weeks in duration.
LEADERSHIP TIP
As teacher teams map curriculum, you may begin to see a need for additional professional development or teacher resources. Contact your district or regional office to learn about relevant professional development opportunities. Explore whether your district provides curriculum mapping software that aligns to standards and simplifies this process for teachers.
QUICK WIN
If a site has bought an integrated curriculum product, look into whether its developers offer free or fee-for-service professional development on curriculum mapping as part of the purchase price.
Magnet Theme Mapping in Action
This 6-minute video demonstrates how one 4th-grade team mapped its standards-based curriculum across content areas. Teachers considered how to modify instruction to integrate the site’s magnet theme in meaningful ways.
Download a transcript of this video (.pdf)
