Join
Standard 3 - Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning
Teachers exhibit in-depth working knowledge of subject matter, academic content standards, and curriculum frameworks. They apply knowledge of student development and proficiencies to ensure student understanding of content. They organize curriculum to facilitate students' understanding of the subject matter. Teachers utilize instructional strategies that are appropriate to the subject matter. They use and adapt resources, technologies, and standards-aligned instructional materials, including adopted materials, to make subject matter accessible to all students. They address the needs of English learners and students with special needs to provide equitable access to the content.
3.3 Organizing curriculum to facilitate student understanding of the subject matter
As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”
Use my knowledge of student readiness to learn to organize, sequence, and enhance the curriculum
Guidance: Assess students' prior knowledge and learning profiles to determine entry points. Use pre-assessments, formative checks, and flexible grouping to guide curricular decisions.
Apply my knowledge of the subject matter to organize curriculum, plan lessons and units, and select instructional strategies that demonstrate key concepts and their interrelationships
Guidance: Use concept mapping, spiraling, and essential questions to plan coherent units. Select inquiry-based or project-based strategies to help students see how ideas are connected.
Organize subject matter to reveal and value different cultural perspectives
Guidance: Infuse curriculum with voices and experiences from multiple cultures. Highlight global connections and local relevance. Include diverse authors, scientists, historians, and artists.
Incorporate subject or grade level expectations and curriculum frameworks in organizing subject matter
Guidance: Use vertical and horizontal alignment charts to ensure progression and coherence. Map units to the California content standards and framework strands.
Utilize standards-aligned and/or adopted curriculum in ways that support student learning
Guidance: Adapt pacing guides, teacher editions, and unit overviews to support diverse learners. Supplement adopted texts with scaffolds, tech tools, or culturally responsive materials as needed.