Curriculum Mapping
Curriculum mapping is an important tool of achieving the best practices in delivery of lessons (Zemelman, Daniels, and Hyde, 2005). In the above curriculum map, the topic about Oceans will be taught efficiently by ensuring that sufficient time allocated to cover each topic and objectives. The map will bring out the picture of how the above topic will be tackled such that the teacher can create a balance between teacher-directed concepts and student-generated investigations. The above map will also facilitate assessment planning. Periodic self-assessment and assessment using rubrics promotes awareness of strengths and areas for improvement (Utah Education Network, 2003). For my students to develop real world application for concepts, the curriculum map for the above topic will find cross-curricular connections which can be intentionally promoted.
Using the above curriculum map again, I would change the time this lesson is delivered such that the lesson coincides with the period whereby students can have ample time for outdoor activities such as making small ocean models. The skills and activities which will not be well taught will be remodeled to be in line with the State standards of the place where the lesson will be taught. Since curriculum map gives curricular coherency, I will not be engaged in what Dr. Jacobs (2001) refers to as “…treadmill teaching” by recording, reflecting, studying, and revising my individual map so that the lesson makes sense to all students.
Curriculum Map Ocean Studies for Kindergarten
Month |
Content |
Skills/Activities |
Assessment |
Essential Questions |
October |
*Inside the ocean Calculate the cost of essay
*Animals in the ocean |
* Introduction of the ocean. *Names of oceans *Naming of ocean animals *Classification of ocean animals *Drawing of ocean animals |
*Daily work-songs of the oceans, labeling/identifying oceans correctly. *Tests *Quizzes *Projects-ABC Book of ocean animals. *Teacher Observation *Participation |
*How many oceans do we have? *What living things live in the ocean? |
November |
*Plants in the Ocean |
*Naming ocean plants *How ocean plants get their food *Classification of ocean plants |
*Daily work *Tests *Teacher Observation *Quizzes *Projects-classify different ocean plants by using a microscope and matching what plant it is. *Participation |
*Are plants living in the ocean? *How do ocean plants get their food? *What do plants/living things need to survive? |
December |
* Predators *Extinction |
* Defining predators *How ocean predators survive. *Defining extinction * Extinct ocean animals and plants |
*Daily work *Tests *Quizzes *Projects-draw a pic of an ocean animal and its predator. *Draw an animal or plant that is extinct/ create a poster on how to save our oceans. *Participation-Beach Cleanup-optional |
*What are predators? *What is extinction? *How do animals and plants become extinct? *How can we help prevent extinction? |
January |
*Endangered animals *Protection of the ocean |
* Endangered ocean animals. * Examples of endangered animals *How to protect the ocean from Pollution |
*Daily work *Tests *Quizzes *Projects-Students create a bubble map of an ocean animal-food, predators, where it can be found, and is it endangered. *Participation |
*What does endangered mean? *What ocean animals are endangered? *How can we prevent endangerment? |
