Education is a continual process, it's like a bicycle... If you don't pedal you don't go forward.
- George Weah

Math Curriculum Development Process Overview

  1. Determine What Teachers Want and Need From a Math Curriculum. The first step was a conversation with teachers about what they would like in a district-wide math curriculum - what were the desired outcomes, how should the process be undertaken.  Learn more...
  2. ​​Evaluate Grade Level Standards and Evidence Outcomes.   Is it realistic (or possible or wise) to teach to each of the over 1,200 evidence outcomes and other standard descriptors in the Colorado Academic Standards for Math with equal emphasis and fidelity?  Teachers evaluated the descriptors at their grade level to determine which were essential, important, or not a priority.  Learn more...
  3. Have Vertical Alignment Conversations. Vertical Alignment ensures that students experience a seamless flow in instructional content and similar vocabulary as they progress through the district so they enter each grade with the skills and knowledge they need to master the learning expectations for that grade and leave that grade prepared for the next grade. It is important that teachers are aware of the grade level expectations for students in both the prior and next grade levels. The Vertical Alignment process contributed to this bigger picture view of student learning. Learn more...
  4. Outline Scope & Sequence. The Scope & Sequence identifies and summarizes what is taught when at each grade level. Teachers spent time developing and reviewing these for their grade levels/classes. See completed Scope & Sequences...
  5. Explore/Evaluate/Select Core Resources. Core resource support effective delivery of the curriculum. Much more than a textbook, today's core resources typically include online support materials and activities, manipulatives for younger grades, aligned assessments, and best instructional practices support for teachers. After a thorough review process, National Geographic Learning's Big Ideas Math was chosen as a core resource for K-12. Learn more about the selection process...
  6. Create Unit Guides. Teachers spent time creating Unit Guides that provide the teacher with a summary of what will be taught in a unit, which Evidence Outcomes, Mathematical Practices, and 21st Century Skills will be emphasized, how much time will be spent on the unit, how student learning will be assessed, and more. Learn more and see an example...
  7. Explore/Evaluate/Select Intervention Resources. Intervention resources are used to provide additional help for students struggling with a skill/concept or to further deepen students' understandings of skills/concepts they quickly grasped. Intervention resources vary and can change over time as student needs change. The high school and middle school chose IXL Math for their primary intervention resource and the elementary iReady Math was chosen. Both programs are highly individualized.
  8. Publish Curriculum. In order to make the Monte Vista School District easily accessible and to keep it a "living" document which can easily be updated over time, this was published digitally rather than in a (once) traditional three-ring binder printed format. 
  9. Develop/Publish Parent Resources. Parent resources were included with this site so parents can learn more about what their child will be learning in math and how they can support their child in this process.
  10. Revise/Refine Curriculum Over Time. As noted, teachers will be easily able to update their Unit Guides as needed based on lesson effectiveness and student performance.
  11. Evaluate/Revise/Refine Process. Teachers were asked to complete a survey to provide feedback on what worked well with the curriculum development process and what could be improved. That information will help shape the process for the next content areas curriculum development team.