CCP: Episode 50 // Curriculum Mapping Tips for Teachers
Let’s be real. We Have All been there.
…flying by the seat of your pants from unit to unit — Not a curriculum map in sight!
There were several years of teaching that I, for SURE, was flying by the seat of my pants when it came to my lesson plans. I didn’t know what I would be teaching next week, let alone a month down the road. Forget about mapping out the curriculum for my entire year — it just didn't happen.
Oh don’t get me wrong — I most DEFINITELY had that cute teacher planner — spent hours researching and picking it out, actually. But - the pages were still as crisp and untouched as the day I bought it.
Maaaaaybe I jotted down a quick lesson title, student activity, or start of a new unit every now and then, but most of the time… nadda.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the random pieces of paper that I had occasionally tucked here and there that resembled lesson planning of some sort, but I don’t think it counts if you can’t actually find the paper when you need it.
Sounds familiar? If so, then this podcast episode is for you.
Now, I understand that curriculum mapping typically isn’t something we (want to) talk about in January as we begin the second half of the school year. However, it’s actually a GREAT time to revisit curriculum mapping. You know your students better than you did at the beginning of the year, you know the pacing that works best for your students, AND you know what teaching strategies, types of activities, and projects that work well with your students.
In fact, January is the PERFECT time to dust off your teacher planning (digital or printable) and get crackin’ on curriculum mapping for the second half of the school year!
YOU’LL LEARN
(Timestamps Shown)
Curriculum mapping can be done anytime during the year (1:45)
How to tackle your mindset issues first (3:59)
How being a “systems” girl has been a game-changer for me (6:36)
A very simple template to help you stay organized (7:31)
How to treat curriculum mapping like a blueprint (8:00)
The process of Curriculum Mapping from beginning to end (10:41)
A few tips for success (13:11)
Why printing out the standards in a must (13:25)
How to make a “moveable” curriculum map (13:49)
How using Google Calendar might actually be BETTER than your cute teacher planner to keep track of things (16:40)
How to remain flexible when curriculum mapping (17:00)
LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
Video Tutorial: How to Create a Curriculum Map for a Year
Video Tutorial: How to Use Google Calendar for Curriculum Mapping
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