The Fantastical World of Fraysier

Impact on Student Learning

2010-05-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

My future students will benefit from having curriculum that is designed with their needs in mind. Assessments will be made to challenge students to think critically. The curriculum map I designed called for students to participate in classroom discussion and express themselves in projects such as writing blogs or wikis. The curriculum also required the students solve real world problems using the methods taught. These activities will help increase students understanding of the content on a higher level and keep them engaged.

Mastery of Competencies

2010-05-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

The Curriculum Mapping assignment helped display my mastery of several of the program competencies listed in the Kaplan University School of Education’s Master of Science in Education Conceptual Framework. I will look at two competencies and detail how a specific performance indicator was met in each.

C2) Content Matter Mastery and Instructional Planning – Performance indicator 3: Selects and Implements Curriculum Materials. For this assignment I looked at the Ohio Department of Education’s (n.d.) Academic Content Standards for Mathematics as well as the standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000) and evaluated their benchmarks for the area I was going to cover; solving linear equations and matrices. I made sure the lessons planned covered each of the benchmarks and determined the time needed for proper understanding.

C3) Instructional Delivery, Assessment, and Classroom Management – Performance indicator 2: Uses Assessment Data to Inform Instruction. As I am not a practicing teacher, my curriculum mapping project was hypothetical. Back in Unit 5 we read McTighe and Thomas’s (2003) article on using backward design for curriculum mapping. If I was directing a mapping team we would use backward design to identify desired results, analyze assessment data, and develop action plans to achieve goals.

Reflective Journal on Curriculum Mapping Assignment - First Entry

2010-05-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

The artifact being showcased is my Curriculum Mapping assignment. The assignment required me to create a curriculum map for my targeted teaching area, which would be secondary mathematics. I created a map that covered lessons involving linear equations, matrices, and determinants. I followed the template given in Udelhofen’s (2007) Curriculum Mapping Template (p.30) and envisioned myself being a member of a curriculum mapping team creating an initial map.
This assignment made me think about the content needed for the learners and how best to assess their learning. When creating a curriculum map the team will need to think about the needs of all the students in the district and how best to achieve results. When designing the curriculum the standards for the state and district need to be aligned. Data needs to be evaluated to find strengths in weaknesses. Using this data and the aligned standards the curriculum will be mapped.

2010-04-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

First ever blog post!!!! UH........ (writers block)- I guess I will have to come back when I have something interesting to say.