Rubicon Atlas

A curriculum map is a tool for providing a sequence of learning expectations for the school year. Our curriculum maps identify what we expect our students to know and be able to do at the completion of each course or grade level, reflected through individual units of study. Teachers are expected to use the curriculum maps to carefully plan for student learning.

While curriculum maps serve as a guide to ensure thoughtful planning and a consistent curriculum, the most effective teaching and learning is responsive and targeted to the needs of students. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the following key ideas:

• Curriculum maps should be “living” documents – teachers reflect on units and make changes to maps as needed and on an continuous basis.
• Not all teachers will be in the same place at the same time – the defined expectations in the maps are over the course of a unit.
• Some content extends beyond one year, as many concepts and skills need to be reinforced and practiced continually.

Units of study are a reflection of instructional design. In each unit, the teacher(s) develops and defines instruction through these four lenses:

• Enduring Understandings - Enduring Understandings (EU) are statements that encompass the “big ideas”. They are concepts that are interdisciplinary and have long lasting value.
• Essential Questions – Essential Questions (EQ) lie at the heart of a subject or a curriculum. A good essential question promotes inquiry, is debatable and doesn’t have one “right” answer. The EQ guides the unit of study and serves as a way to promote “uncoverage” of important ideas and concepts.
• Content – Content refers to the subject matter itself, key concepts, facts, topics, and important information.
• Skills – Skills are targeting proficiencies, actions and strategies for demonstrating understanding of the content.

Although not listed as its own category, vocabulary will often be included as part of the content.

We hope this tool will provide an overview of what our students are learning. As a work in progress, not all courses/subjects have been mapped to date. We will continue to add maps throughout the year and beyond. While curriculum maps provide information, they cannot capture the energy, creativity, or individuality of our classrooms. We encourage you to look at your child’s work, engage in conversations and ask questions.

We hope you find our curriculum site to be a useful source of information. Please contact me with questions, comments, or feedback.

Gail Duffy
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

To see our public portal for curriculum maps for each building and course, please click the following link: Rubicon Atlas Curriculum Maps