Curriculum Mapping KnowledgeBase

The Curriculum Mapping KnowledgeBase is an online resource supporting education professionals with the development and use of curriculum mapping as part of their instructional strategies. The KnowledgeBase is based on four elements derived from The Curriculum Mapping Planner: Templates, Tools, and Resources for Effective Professional Development authored by Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Ann Johnson, and published by ASCD.

Task 2: Communicate the Vision to Others


Guideline: How well the vision is communicated may determine how strongly it is embraced by others. Communicating the vision involves identifying the target audience, matching the message content to each group, determining the communication modes, and executing the strategy. When launching curriculum mapping, district and school leaders need to be cognizant of how their message fits with their instructional vision.

Developing and Communicating a Vision

This Community Toolbox website provides information on developing a vision and communicating it to others.

Element 1: Lay the Foundation

Purpose: Applying curriculum mapping within a district or school begins with an understanding of the fundamentals. These include being knowledgeable about the basic concepts, defining a vision for the initiative, and creating a leadership structure to support it. Element 1 outlines these tasks and offers resources for the teacher to gain such an understanding.

Activity 1: Understand Curriculum Mapping Concepts

Activity 2: Create a Shared Vision for Curriculum Mapping

Activity 3: Define the Leadership Structure to Support Mapping

Element 2: Launch the Process

Purpose: Wiktionary dictionary defines launch as "to set going; to give a start to (something); to put in operation." Curriculum mapping is an ongoing process. The process involves creating maps that drive instruction, reviewing and improving those maps over time, and learning how to master mapping strategies. Element 2 outlines these tasks and offers resources for district and school leaders and teachers to launch curriculum mapping.

Activity 1: Using Curriculum Maps to Drive Instruction

Activity 2: Undertake a Review Process to Improve Instruction

Activity 3: Learn How to Master Mapping Strategies

Element 3: Sustain and Integrate the Mapping Process

Purpose: Curriculum mapping is an ongoing process as teachers review and update the respective maps regularly. The process of updating their maps enables teachers to think about how they can improve and update their instructional approaches. The Element 3 tasks address incorporating assessment results into the mapping process.

Activity 1: Conduct Ongoing Strategic Monitoring

Activity 2: Unpack Assessment Data

Element 4: Advanced Mapping Tasks

Purpose: Curriculum mapping is an ongoing process as teachers review and update the respective maps regularly . The process of updating their maps enables teachers to think about how they can improve and update their instructional approaches. The Element 4 tasks address applying new instructional techniques and integrating technology with curriculum.

Activity 1: Update Maps with 21st Century Techniques