CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT PROJECTS
STANDARDS ALIGNMENT PROJECT
Initial Exploration and Scope:
In this project, I was tasked with aligning four separate sets of standards used by the Special Services department. This program provides instruction to high school level students with special needs. Teachers are required to utilize the state grade level standards, the state alternate standards for students with significant special needs, and the DLM Essential Elements used for end of the year assessments. In addition to these three sets of standards, teachers needed to understand how the common core state standards aligned in order to ensure purchased curriculums met all program needs.
As a result of these needs, the scope of the project assigned for my completion included the English Language Arts sections of each of these standards. It was decided that a google sheets document aligning each of the standards would be created. This would allow for quick and easy comparison by teachers working in the program.
Work Product:
I began this project by looking at the state grade level standards and compiling them into a google sheets document. From there I analyzed each additional set of standards looking for overlaps or similar themes. After the initial alignment, I arranged the columns so that the standards were in order of largest use to smallest use. I then approached Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and solicited their feedback on the alignment between standards. Several changes were made based on this feedback. A sample of the completed project is below:
Reflections:
This initial alignment project revealed some key information and gaps in the current programing within this department. As a result a larger alignment and curriculum mapping project is currently being developed to ensure all standards are being met within the program.
Tools Used: Google Sheets, SMEs
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ELA COURSE MAPPING PROJECT
Initial Exploration and Scope:
In this project, I was tasked with creating and mapping curriculum for use by the Special Services department. This program provides instruction to high school level students with special needs. These students are performing at a kindergarten to third grade level. Teachers are required to utilize the state grade level standards, the state alternate standards for students with significant special needs, and the DLM Essential Elements used for end of the year assessments. In addition to these three sets of standards, teachers needed to align the curriculum with standards found at the performance level of the students (grades K-3).
As a result of these needs, the scope of the project assigned for my completion included the English Language Arts curriculum. It was decided that a google sheets document mapping the curriculum would be created. This would allow for quick and easy comparison by teachers working in the program. In addition to mapping the core curriculum, I suggested also aligning and mapping the IXL lessons that corresponded with the objectives in each unit so teachers could assign work that was relevant to the unit. This was very well received and incorporated into the project.
Work Product:
I began this project by conducting a needs analysis through a google form completed by the current teachers. This needs analysis identified what the current teachers liked and disliked about the current curriculum and curriculum maps. Following the needs analysis I began looking at the available curriculums purchased as well as open source curriculums available online. From there I analyzed each set of standards looking for overlaps or similar themes. Once I had a broad view of what was expected from each level of course, I developed an overall theme and essential question for the year long curriculum map. From there I identified core texts that fit the overall theme, were appropriate for high school, and had adapted versions to meet the students unique needs. I then broke down the standards into sub skills that students would need to meet and arranged them in a linear fashion to show how they built on one another throughout the year. This provided a road map for unit objectives, skills, and alignment with IXL lessons.
Tools Used: Google Sheets, SMEs