Impact on Student Learning
Curriculum Mapping can impact a student’s long term learning. According to Udelhofen & Jacobs (2005), states that curriculum should be based on the best interests and needs of students. However, far too often the curriculum is based on teacher choices and preferences. Placing students in the center of curriculum reform is a vital underpinning of curriculum mapping. Teachers must continually ask themselves if what they are choosing to teach is in the best interest of the students, and how it relates to and connects with what happens to students beyond the scope of the individual classroom. As every teacher analyzes the collective, authentic curriculum data from all teachers and uses this information as a vehicle for making positive, effective changes in the students’ learning environment, improved student learning will occur. Furthermore, sharing the maps with students informs them of their journey, sparks their curiosity, and increases their motivation.
In conclusion, this course has given me the opportunity to reflect on my teaching practice. It let me see where I once was in teaching to where I am now. Before attending graduate school at Kaplan University I had never heard of curriculum mapping. But now that I have learned about it, I will use it for years to come.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Mastery of Program Competencies
I believe that if I follow the ideas stated in my Curriculum Map, I will be closer to mastering the following Competencies: Competency 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning (Kaplan University, 2003). If you read page four, paragraph two of my curriculum map, you will see that I am a promoter of student learning. The curriculum map is outlined in a way so that every system of the human body can be covered. It will let me teach students, so they can acquire the basic understanding of the major systems of the human body and to explaining to them that each system are treated separately, but function together in an efficient way. Cooper & Ryan (1998), states that, "the essence of being a professional is in helping the young, and the teachers role is to pass on to the young the key skills necessary to participate effectively in society". They also aid the young in acquiring the most difficult, if not the most important skills that involve thinking and manipulating ideas. Competency 4: Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. I am working toward becoming a better reflective decision maker. When this occurs, I can help my students become reflective thinkers. Being a reflective thinker challenges students to express and defend their thoughts regarding complex, value-oriented questions or issues. This helps them develop their critical thinking skills.
I believe that if I follow the ideas stated in my Curriculum Map, I will be closer to mastering the following Competencies: Competency 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning (Kaplan University, 2003). If you read page four, paragraph two of my curriculum map, you will see that I am a promoter of student learning. The curriculum map is outlined in a way so that every system of the human body can be covered. It will let me teach students, so they can acquire the basic understanding of the major systems of the human body and to explaining to them that each system are treated separately, but function together in an efficient way. Cooper & Ryan (1998), states that, "the essence of being a professional is in helping the young, and the teachers role is to pass on to the young the key skills necessary to participate effectively in society". They also aid the young in acquiring the most difficult, if not the most important skills that involve thinking and manipulating ideas. Competency 4: Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. I am working toward becoming a better reflective decision maker. When this occurs, I can help my students become reflective thinkers. Being a reflective thinker challenges students to express and defend their thoughts regarding complex, value-oriented questions or issues. This helps them develop their critical thinking skills.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Reflective Journal: Curriculum Mapping
The artifact that I am showcasing is Curriculum Mapping. If I incorporate these beliefs about teaching and learning into my K-6 classroom on a daily basis, I truly believe that I will become a more effective teacher.
Improvement in Teaching Practice
Currriculum mapping will help me improve my teaching practice by allowing me to share and examine other curriculums. It will let me focus on the balance between what I actually taught in my classroom to what I planned. (Udelhofen, 2005) It also allows me time to build personal ownership in the mapping process, which will empower me and subsequently improves student learning. According to, Teaching Today: A Curriculum Mapping Primer, (2005) Curriculum maps cover a wide range of important curricular activities. Typically, they attempt to
· address the total education of the students in a building
· create a "word snapshot" of the educational activities of every classroom within a department, school, or district
· capture the content, skills, and assessments taught or administered by every teacher within a school building or district
· organize this information into an easily accessed visual that presents a timeline of instruction by teacher and course
One of the most important features of curriculum maps is that they are geared to the school calendar, and each teacher's timeline is precisely displayed on the map. There are two groups of people crucial to the creation of a curriculum map: the teachers who provide the information and the curriculum team who organize the information.
Improvement in Teaching Practice
Currriculum mapping will help me improve my teaching practice by allowing me to share and examine other curriculums. It will let me focus on the balance between what I actually taught in my classroom to what I planned. (Udelhofen, 2005) It also allows me time to build personal ownership in the mapping process, which will empower me and subsequently improves student learning. According to, Teaching Today: A Curriculum Mapping Primer, (2005) Curriculum maps cover a wide range of important curricular activities. Typically, they attempt to
· address the total education of the students in a building
· create a "word snapshot" of the educational activities of every classroom within a department, school, or district
· capture the content, skills, and assessments taught or administered by every teacher within a school building or district
· organize this information into an easily accessed visual that presents a timeline of instruction by teacher and course
One of the most important features of curriculum maps is that they are geared to the school calendar, and each teacher's timeline is precisely displayed on the map. There are two groups of people crucial to the creation of a curriculum map: the teachers who provide the information and the curriculum team who organize the information.
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