CURRICULUM LINKS
CURRICULUM MAPPING
Curriculum mapping has been an initiative at Queensbury for the last six years. Teachers at all grade levels have worked together to create a written curriculum for all subject areas. A collaborative map is created and shared with all teachers in the district. A unit timeline is created to assist with pacing of each course. Each unit is broken into categories. These categories include essential questions, content, skills, vocabulary, assessment and differentiated instruction.
Rubicon Atlas is mapping software that Queensbury School District uses to ensure that all maps are current, living documents. Teachers modify these maps when necessary and they are able to search other maps when needed. State Standards are attached to every unit and school values are highlighted where appropriate. Mapping has become a common practice for all teachers and many resources are shared through them. Our curriculum maps drive current programmatic discussions and assist us in the curriculum renewal process.
Example of Collaborative Yearly Calendar:
Example of a quality unit:
Unit: The Outsiders (Week 27, 5 Weeks) |
Essential Questions |
UEQ: ARE HUMAN BEINGS MORE ALIKE THAN THEY ARE DIFFERENT?
How does money influence lifestyle?
How does stereotyping prevent individuals from truly getting to know one another?
How do major plot events and conflicts impact a protagonist's character development?
How can we make connections between different genres of literature?
What familiar themes are present throughout The Outsiders?
Do similarities exist between issues mentioned in The Outsiders and issues in our modern-day world?
The Outsiders Student Learning Map |
Content |
The Outsiders (realistic fiction, by S.E. Hinton) and related readings
Active Reading Strategies: Predict, Visualize, Question, Clarify, Connect, Evaluate
Reading Analysis: Social inequalities, character traits and influences, social messages
Literary Terms: (including, but not limited to) character traits, symbolism, conflict, theme, static/dynamic character, suspense, foreshadowing
Spelling Lessons:
Grammar:
Free Choice Novel and Reading Project
Test Prep:
Vocabulary in context (from novel) |
Skills |
READING:
identify themes in an extended piece of literature
make connections between theme(s), other literature and personal experience(text to text, text to self, and text to world connections)
develop opinions based upon characterization, plot events and theme
identify significant literary elements
interpret meaning in text
evaluate characters through character traits and character development
recognize and understand elements of a plot line
identify comparisons and connections within related readings
WRITING:
respond to journal entries based upon theme, moral, connections, etc.
respond to short and extended response questions
other possibilities (decide upon one of the following as a department):
display knowledge and understanding of cause and effect through gains/losses essay
demonstrate critical thinking through critical lens essay
display understanding of character traits through character sketch essay
LISTENING:
actively listen within literature circle discussion
appreciate differing opinions through listening to their perspectives, opinions and ideas
actively listen to whole class discussion and analysis
SPEAKING:
actively engage in literature circles and literature circle discussion
actively engage in whole class discussion and analysis
orally express opinions of characters, plot, themes, etc. with use of supporting details
SPELLING, VOCABULARY, GRAMMAR:
understand, utilize and recognize skills (see Content)
TEST PREP:
write formal essay with proper structure
understand and utilize methods of QAR and TEEC
properly structure a topic sentence and conclusion
incorporate specific text based supporting details |
Vocabulary |
vocabulary in context (from novel)
literary terms: character traits, symbolism, conflict, theme, static/dynamic character, suspense, foreshadowing |
Assessments |
End of Novel Exam
Novel Quizzes (chapter clusters)
Small Group and Large Class Discussion
Five paragraph paired passage essay
Vocabulary in Context quizzes
Selected Extended Writing Pieces
Grammar Quiz |
Resources |
Teacher generated materials
The Outsiders
selected related readings
Selected related poetry
McDougal Littell Grammar, Usage and Mechanics Book
McDougal Littell Weekly Vocabulary and Spelling Book |
Differentiation |
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Example of Standard Map for unit:
Example of Core Value map:
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