One of my favorite time-saving organizational tools? My curriculum map template! Creating a curriculum map and monthly pacing guide for my first grade team was a game changer. I am such a visual person and seeing a color-coded, long-term planning guide for the year helped me to save soo much time on daily/weekly lesson planning! Plus it helps when it’s pretty to look at! 🌈😍

Today I wanted to share the 5 step process I use for creating a curriculum map using an editable template! I’m going to share ALL my tips for curriculum mapping and creating a pacing guide that will save you time! I hope it helps you to get organized and streamline your planning process for the upcoming school year!

Want more amazing lesson planning tips? Check out this blog post for my time-saving system for planning math centers!

What is a curriculum map?

A curriculum map is an academic plan for the school year and gives a big picture of all the big teaching topics for each subject area. Having a clear plan helps you to stay on track and plan further ahead. My curriculum map is the first thing I pull up when I am getting ready to do my weekly lesson plans.

How is this different from a district curriculum map?

Many school districts will give a district-wide curriculum map. While these are great to have and an important tool for planning, they are usually incredibly wordy and overwhelming. I find that the amount of information included is more than I need for my big picture planning. I also like having all of my subjects on one page so I don’t have to keep switching between documents!

How to create a curriculum map using an editable template:

During my first year teaching, I worked at a newer school that had no existing pacing guide. I felt like each week I was winging it trying to figure out what to teach next and how long I should spend on each unit. I was so worried that I was going to run out of time to teach all the standards!

The summer after my first year teaching, I knew I needed to get organized! That’s when I created this editable template. I wanted something quick and easy to fill out while also having space for all the important topics for each subject. 

Steps for Curriculum Mapping: 

Step 1:

Gather all your school curriculum materials and important resources such as teacher guides. (I like to start with 1 subject at a time so it’s not overwhelming!) 

Step 2:

Look at the school calendar and fill in breaks, important dates, holidays, school events, class parties, etc. 

Step 3:

Start with core subjects and fill in units month by month or quarter by quarter. Think about how long each unit will take. Break down units into skills.

For example:

Introduction to Addition unit:

• Week 1: Acting out addition story problems and using manipulatives as a model

• Week 2: Using a number line to add, counting on

• Week 3: Friends of 10, doubles and near doubles

Step 4:

Adjust as needed!

As I get further into the planning process, I usually need to go back and make adjustments to fit everything in! I also like to leave myself some wiggle room because as teachers we know that unexpected interruptions are usually a weekly (or hourly) occurrence!

Step 5:

Print or save digitally for easy access! I used to print out all of the pages and put in my lesson planning binder, but now I like to do everything digitally. I save a copy on my desktop and upload it to Google Drive so that I can share with my team.

Using a Curriculum Map for Long-term Sub or Maternity Leave

When I went on maternity leave last year, my curriculum map was such a life saver! To prep, I wrote detailed plans for the first two weeks I was gone and left the curriculum map for the remainder of the time. My sub was able to make her own plans based on the curriculum map! I knew all the important topics were going to be covered, and it was so much less work for me!

Editable Template for Curriculum Mapping

Are you ready to get organized this school year and create your own curriculum map? Check out this editable template! Simply enter your information in the editable text boxes to plan out your curriculum. It includes a Year-Long Curriculum Map for all subject areas broken down by quarter and a Month by Month Pacing Guide!

Includes PowerPoint and Google Slides versions!

Other questions about creating a curriculum map template? Let me know in the comments!