NMSD Teaching and Learning
TARGET INITIATIVES
Curriculum Mapping
Curriculum mapping is an essential element of any curriculum system. A solid curriculum map outlines the scope and sequence of a course, and provides guidelines around assessment and resources. At North Marion School District our Curriculum Mapping Initiative involves creating a common template for the maps, collecting complete maps for each course taught within our district, and building a district-wide data base to house those documents. Our curriculum documents are based on the research of both Grant Wiggins and his UbD model, as well as John Hattie's research on visible learning.
Unpacking the Standards
As part of our PLC work, beginning 2016, we will be taking a close look at the concept of "unpacking the standards." Unpacking standards usually includes taking a deeper look at the knowledge and skill embedded within the standard, and determining the best methods for helping students meet these expectations (PLAN and ACT). The unpacking work allows us to understand both the depth of knowledge a standard is assessing, as well has determine the appropriate assessment type to measure that standard.
Curriculum Task Force
Work
North Marion School District is committed to providing students and teachers with the most effective and up to date resources possible. Following the Oregon Department of Education adoption schedule, NMSD is forming Curriculum Task Forces yearly to address the curriculum needs of each subject areas. Task Force members work in K-12 teams to examine the standards, create K-12 curriculum maps and priority standards, review best practices, and select curriculum resources for the district. The ELA Task force completed their work in the Spring of 2015, and the Math Task Force will complete their work in Spring of 2016. The Science Task Force is slated to begin in the fall of 2016.
Developing Learning Targets
Once we have unpacked the standard, and identified the key elements that need to be assessed, we must then create learning targets. The NMSD uses the learning target model developed by Rick Stiggins’ assessment institute, which breaks targets into four categories--Knowledge, Skill, Product, and Reasoning. These then help guide the teacher in their creation of effective assessments that measure the target at the appropriate depth of knowledge.