Choose the content area on which you wish to focus. Curriculum maps work for one subject in one grade, so if you teach more than one content area or grade level, create a separate map for each.
Gather a list of the local, state and national standards by which you teach. Also gather all of the materials used for instruction, including textbooks, novels, student workbooks and other supplemental items.
Compile an inclusive list of the broad concepts and specific skills that standards require you to teach for your area and grade level. On that list, note in what unit or by using which materials each of those concepts are taught. For example, if you teach social studies using a textbook, note in which unit you cover the main themes of geography. If you teach with novels in your language arts class, add which novel you use to teach required literary elements.
Add to the list possible assessments to use in measuring students' abilities in each skill. It might be a worksheet, oral quiz, discussion, presentation, test, project or essay.
Check the list for gaps. A curriculum map points out when you meet each standard of instruction. If there is something not covered by the materials that you use, add appropriate activities to fill those gaps.
Create a logical sequence for instruction by numbering your inclusive list in the order that concepts and skills should be taught. Local, state and national standards are not necessarily organized in a sequential order. If you follow a textbook in your course, they usually arrange information in an order suited for instruction. If you use other materials, you need to set the sequence.
Insert a five-column table into a word processing program. Across the top row, label each column as time, concepts, skills, standards and assessment. Below each title, fill in the information from your list.
Place a header at the top of the page that tells the subject, grade level and creation date. Then save and print the final curriculum map.