Colorado's District Sample Curriculum Project
Teacher-created curriculum samples
This fall, over 500 Colorado educators, representing 61 school districts, participated in curriculum design workshops that resulted in the creation of 670 curriculum samples based on the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS). Utilizing a Colorado-designed and refined template, the samples provide organizing structures for addressing the grade-level expectations (GLEs), evidence outcomes (EOs) and 21st Century Skills that build students' mastery of the standards at each grade level. As voluntary resources for districts, the samples:
- Represent the translation of the CAS into unit overviews for all (10) content areas, grades k-12
- Illuminate possibilities for sequencing grade-level and content-specific standards across courses/years
- Offer one possible foundation for exploring standards-based unit and lesson-plan development
The samples, the blank template upon which they are based, and a template with definitions can currently be accessed on this website. Together, these resources were created by and for Colorado educators to support school districts as they intentionally plan for the successful implementation of the CAS in the 2013-14 SY. Indeed, initial feedback indicates that districts can envision utilizing the samples and blank template as starting points for the creation of their own curricula, as examples to build upon and augment, as crosswalk documents for curricular comparisons, and other purposeful and individualized uses.
In the coming months, eNet Colorado will house the samples and templates in order to enhance this customizability and allow Colorado school districts and educators further opportunities to explore the instructional potential of these tools.
Questions related to Colorado's District Sample Curriculum Project should be directed to Brian Sevier.
FrameworkColorado's District Sample Curriculum Project framework is based on the work of Lynn Erickson whose work on concept-based education facilitated the creation of a flexible and customizable template that supports implementation of the Colorado Academic Standards. |
Blank TemplatesColorado's District Sample Curriculum Project utilizes a Colorado designed and refined template that allows for educator/district customizing. While key components of the template are constants, there are elements unique to particular grade levels and content areas. |
SamplesThe 500+ Colorado educators involved in phase one of Colorado's District Sample Curriculum Project created 670 samples for all 10 content areas (grades k-12) of the Colorado Academic Standards. These resources truly reflect CDE's mantra and commitment to, "All students, all standards." |
Next PhaseAll phases of Colorado's District Sample Curriculum Project depend on the participation of dedicated teachers throughout the state. This summer, the SIS office will convene Colorado teachers and district leaders to create full instructional units based on selected unit overviews from the bank of samples. |
FeedbackIn the SIS office, we have some sense of how districts and teachers might utilize the 670 curriculum samples created by and for Colorado educators, but we want to hear directly from you. Please take a moment to let us know your thoughts. |
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For Website support please e-mail Anna Huffman.