Curriculum Frameworks
Through the Curriculum Frameworks, the Math & Science Collaborative provides a coherent structure that organizes the expectations contained in the state and national standards into a set of essential, coherent, and manageable learnings at each grade level that prevents unnecessary repetition. The Frameworks also assist districts in finalizing curriculum, selecting instructional materials and assessments, and organizing their instruction within and across grade levels.
K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Framework
The K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Framework is a resource that can be used to assist districts in implementing curriculum consistent with the PA Academic Standards for Mathematics and the PA Mathematics Assessment Anchors by grade level. Grade level teams can use the framework to focus on the most important concepts for their grade level, concepts most students should master during that year. The Framework was recently updated and a new section was added that aligns each of the knowledge webs of the Framework to the PA Academic Standards for Mathematics and Anchors.
PA MathematicsAssessment Anchor M3.E.3
"Understand and/or apply basicconcepts of probability or outcomes.
Big Ideas from Regional K-12Mathematics Framework
M3.E.3.1 Predict and/or measure the likelyhood of events
Reference: 2.7.3.A
Analyze Data and Probability
- Predict the likely number of times a
condition will occur based on
analyzed data
- List or graph the possible results of an
experiment (e.g., design a fair or
unfair game).
The K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Framework is an important starting point for districts in developing their own curriculum. For many districts, the Framework has provided an opportunity to have valuable discussions about essential learning for students at each grade levels and/or across the grade levels. Effective curriculum is not a static document but an ongoing process and there should be opportunities for reflection and revision so that the curriculum is updated and improved on a regular basis. Even districts that have used the Framework before should contact the Math Science Collaborative about the updated version of the Framework.
In the summer of 2004 the K-12 Mathematics Framework was one of the resources used by the Math Science Partnership in the Elementary and Secondary Math Teacher Leadership Academies. Both Academies focused on an in-depth study of some of the big ideas of mathematics. Teacher leaders in attendance were given a copy of the updated K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Framework and a professional development module to use for facilitation back in their district. The module consists of a PowerPoint presentation about the Framework, a scavenger hunt activity to get to know the Framework, and activities that will show the alignment of the Framework to the PA Standards and PSSA Assessment Anchors. The module assists teacher leaders in engaging their colleagues in discussions about the big ideas of mathematics.
One of the most useful aspects of the Framework is the professional conversation that it stimulates within your staff. When examining district curriculum, many teachers are surprised to find the same topics are taught in several grades. The Framework can help to eliminate needless repetition. Teachers can be concerned about the essential learnings and not worried about “covering” what is in the textbook. The framework can make teaching more manageable.
Updated K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks are available through the Math & Science Collaborative. For more information, contact Barb Ash at 412-394-4600.
View the Math Curriculum Framework Power Point Presentation
View an order form for the Mathematics Curriculum Framework
Explore/print the K-12 Mathmatics Curriculum Framework by Section- Click here for Table of Contents
Science Curriculum Framework
Developed by the Math Science Partnership in Southwestern Pennsylvania last summer, the Science Curriculum Framework is available to districts in Pennsylvania as a tool for curriculum alignment. The Science Curriculum Framework was developed in response to findings from the TIMSS (Third International Math and Science Study) study, that we teach “a mile wide and an inch deep” in science. In addition current research in cognitive psychology on how people learn has shown that to develop competence, students must understand facts and ideas in the context of a conceptual framework.
The Science Curriculum Framework was developed by a team of educators from southwestern Pennsylvania, including elementary, middle school, and high school teacher leaders, higher education content advisors, and curriculum specialists, under the guidance of Harold Pratt, former NSTA president and author of the National Science Education Standards. The educators drew on national level expertise, by using the National Science Education Standard as the foundation of their work. They made sure that the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology, and the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology were addressed. The teachers also took into account available NSF-funded research-informed instructional materials, and their combined years of teaching experience in the classroom.
The heart of the Science Curriculum Framework consists of Knowledge Networks. Knowledge Networks illustrate the conceptual development, from narrow to overarching, which supports understanding of the big ideas or Essential Learnings of science. The building blocks represent the active student involvement in the content areas. Mastery of these building blocks leads the student to the understanding of Key Components, significant concepts which combine with other Key Components to achieve understanding of the big ideas of science.
Knowledge Network Template
Each grade level consists of 3-6 big ideas of science, making content manageable at each grade level by permitting adequate time to spend on each topic to permit in-depth study. An overview of the science content at each grade level can be found in the Grade Level section of the framework.
The Scope and Sequence section of the Science Framework shows the sequence of Essential Learnings from Kindergarten through grade twelve for each of the three content strands of Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. This section reflects the developer’s effort to make sure that all unnecessary repetitions in content is eliminated, yet the prerequisite content is in place, in order to provide coherent streamlined content K-12.
The Framework also contains a separate section solely focused on inquiry-based teaching. At each grade level a short paragraph is inserted with the Essential Learnings, which indicates how inquiry should be integrated throughout science instruction. In support of inquiry-based learning a Materials Correlation Guide is inserted with every Knowledge Network. This guide correlates existing research-informed inquiry-based challenging core instructional materials to the particular Essential Learning. This can help districts make use of existing instructional materials in their district or serve as a guide when considering new instructional materials for adoption.
The Science Curriculum Framework was officially unveiled at Network Connections on October 9, 2003, at Carnegie Science Center. A copy of the Framework was distributed to all attending school districts from southwestern Pennsylvania. In addition the State Science Adviser, Dr. Kip Bollinger, distributed a CD-Rom copy of the Framework to all principals in Pennsylvania. The MSP coordinators will relate the science assessment anchors to the Framework once the anchors are released.
In Summary the Science Curriculum Framework is:
A tool to create a coherent, streamlined K-12 curriculum
An invitation to teach for conceptual understanding
A conceptual framework of the big ideas of science
A structure for inquiry-based learning
A guide to research-informed challenging materials
Copies of the Science Curriculum Frameworks are available through the Math & Science Collaborative. For more information, contact Barb Ash at 412-394-4600.
View the Science Curriculum FrameworkPowerPoint Presentation
View an order form for the Science Curriculum Framework
Explore/print the K-12 Science Curriculum Framework by section. Table of Contents.
