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Curriculum Writing Process
Curriculum Writing Process
In 2013 our department began the process of writing our own curriculum across all levels to better fit our student's needs. As we began to transition our curriculum from Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) to Comprehensible Input (CI), we took on the enormous task of creating our curriculum from scratch in levels 1 and 2. In the upper levels, curriculum was also being written from scratch with the use of other supplemental materials such as Somos. In order to complete this task, we had a 2-day professional development training, Workshops for World Language Instruction with Lisa Hendrickson and Karen Fowdy. With their guidance, our department collaborated using a Backward Design Approach to develop the following for all units in all levels:
In 2013 our department began the process of writing our own curriculum across all levels to better fit our student's needs. As we began to transition our curriculum from Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) to Comprehensible Input (CI), we took on the enormous task of creating our curriculum from scratch in levels 1 and 2. In the upper levels, curriculum was also being written from scratch with the use of other supplemental materials such as Somos. In order to complete this task, we had a 2-day professional development training, Workshops for World Language Instruction with Lisa Hendrickson and Karen Fowdy. With their guidance, our department collaborated using a Backward Design Approach to develop the following for all units in all levels:
- Establish a Unit Theme
- Create an Essential Question, I Can Statements, Performance Assessments
- Determine essential vocabulary
- Identify Priority Standards & Align to State Standards
- Incorporate AP Themes
- Implement common formative/summative assessments
Standards-based Grading & Rubrics
Standards-based Grading & Rubrics
In 2016, our department participated in a professional development, Standards-based Grading and Rubrics with Donna Clementi. With the help of Donna Clementi, we shifted our grading practices to standards-based grading in all world language classes. Our department added rubrics to all formative and summative assessments and implemented standards-based grading. Our formative and summative assessments are divided by skill: listening, reading, writing, speaking and culture. Our gradebooks are also divided by these same skills. As students take formative and summative assessments, they receive feedback in the form of a proficiency grade (0 - no evidence, 1 - beginning, 2 - progressing, 3 - proficient, 4 - exemplary) based on the rubrics. Our gradebooks reflect these scores as well. However, the only weighted grades are the summative assessments. Additionally, students also are graded on lifelong learning characteristics by quarter: Be Safe, Be Productive, Be Responsible, Be Respectful using standards-based grading. These lifelong learning characteristics are not a weighted grade, but communicate to both students and families their productiveness, responsibility, respectfulness, and safety in our classrooms.
In 2016, our department participated in a professional development, Standards-based Grading and Rubrics with Donna Clementi. With the help of Donna Clementi, we shifted our grading practices to standards-based grading in all world language classes. Our department added rubrics to all formative and summative assessments and implemented standards-based grading. Our formative and summative assessments are divided by skill: listening, reading, writing, speaking and culture. Our gradebooks are also divided by these same skills. As students take formative and summative assessments, they receive feedback in the form of a proficiency grade (0 - no evidence, 1 - beginning, 2 - progressing, 3 - proficient, 4 - exemplary) based on the rubrics. Our gradebooks reflect these scores as well. However, the only weighted grades are the summative assessments. Additionally, students also are graded on lifelong learning characteristics by quarter: Be Safe, Be Productive, Be Responsible, Be Respectful using standards-based grading. These lifelong learning characteristics are not a weighted grade, but communicate to both students and families their productiveness, responsibility, respectfulness, and safety in our classrooms.
Level 1 French Unit Map Example
Level 1 French Unit Map Example
In 2021, our department decided to revamp our Unit Map Template. We wanted a one-stop-shop for all resources: activities, assessments, etc. for all units in all levels. Linked to the right is an example of a unit map used in the level 1 French class. The unit map includes links to folders with all resources, activities and assessments.
In 2021, our department decided to revamp our Unit Map Template. We wanted a one-stop-shop for all resources: activities, assessments, etc. for all units in all levels. Linked to the right is an example of a unit map used in the level 1 French class. The unit map includes links to folders with all resources, activities and assessments.
Level Snapshots
Level Snapshots
Our department has created an overview of the scope and sequence of our curriculum from our Exploratory classes and levels 1 through 5. Linked to the right is an example of a snapshot used in the level 1 French class and a level 4 Spanish class. These snapshots include a summary of the units and standards taught, as well as links to all of the unit maps like the one shared above. As our content and instructional techniques change to meet student needs, we are consistently updating our unit maps and snapshots.
Our department has created an overview of the scope and sequence of our curriculum from our Exploratory classes and levels 1 through 5. Linked to the right is an example of a snapshot used in the level 1 French class and a level 4 Spanish class. These snapshots include a summary of the units and standards taught, as well as links to all of the unit maps like the one shared above. As our content and instructional techniques change to meet student needs, we are consistently updating our unit maps and snapshots.
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