How Does Curriculum Mapping Benefit Teachers?

Many teachers would rather teach their own way at their own pace instead of teach through a prescribed plan. But there are many benefits to curriculum mapping for teachers.

Definition

Curriculum mapping takes place within a grade level and between grade levels. Mapping serves as a detailed lesson plan for the school year's curriculum.

Unity in Material Being Taught

When teachers are using a curriculum map, all teachers are teaching the same concept at the same time. The teacher is benefited in that she knows where her fellow teachers are and can stay on the same page with them in teaching.

Consistency Between Grades

Teachers will find that using a curriculum map contributes to their teaching consistency. They no longer wonder what the children in the previous grade had learned. The teacher can better collaborate with fellow teachers in another grade, knowing what they will be covering in a specific subject.

Long Term Fewer Lesson Plans

Because curriculum mapping is pretty much the same from year to year, a teacher can use last year's lesson plans. If she wants to add anything to the plan, she can add an addendum. As teachers usually spend countless hours writing lesson plans, this saves time for future years.

Curriculum Matches State Standards

With curriculum mapping, the lesson plans are written using state standards. Each state has its own criteria of what a teacher should be teaching at which grade level. With curriculum mapping, the teacher knows her lessons will match with the state standards.

References

• Curriculum Mapping Basics