Course designs and curriculum development include scope, instructional sequence, pacing guides, and instructional guides with unit outlines and reading lists. Built using curriculum mapping, these teacher-facing instructional materials are based on standard-based content that is inclusive of the several bands or strands within the given academic discipline, subject matter, or content area. Standards include but are not limited to the Common Core, WIDA Literacy Standards for English Language Learners, 21st Century Digital Literacy Standards, Literacy Standards for Social Science, C3 Framework for Social Studies, and CASEL Competencies in conjunction with the relevant state standards of the given subject.

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At Desk43, instructional planning is grounded in the conceptual framework of cognitive rigor for both instruction and assessment. Instruction occurs through a cognitive task (i.e., standard or goal, or what is learned) in which learning is demonstrated through a process or action (i.e. objective, or how that which is learned is learned) that is then assessed based on the means through which the learning is facilitated (i.e., the context, or conditions in which learning takes place). This framework combines both the instructional taxonomy of cognitive levels and the assessment dimensions of knowledge levels and the learning outcomes and inquiries associated with each dimension by level.

Combining both instructional and assessment frameworks creates instruction that is not only scaffolded, leading to a higher level of thinking and more complex application of knowledge or demonstration of skill, but also vertically aligned, building upon previous learning and building toward new (or future) learning both within and between grade levels.

Instructional guides are structured horizontally to provide educators the standard, objective, the learning target, essential question, and understandings/knowledge statements in addition to an outline of critical content, readings, and other instructional resources.

Unless otherwise requested to follow a client's specific format and structure, assessments are objective, standard-based questions that incorporate higher order cognitive rigor and knowledge dimensions. Enhanced questions such as primary source- based, document-based, and other types of questions are included as are questions based on writing-to-learn and writing-across-curriculum approaches.

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Teacher-delivered instructional plans for classroom instruction are designed using a unit-lesson sequence, and are available unit-by-unit, lesson-by-lesson, or component-by-component. Expanding upon the instructional language included in an instructional guide, unit and lesson plans contain content that is more thoroughly developed and detailed. Material is student-facing, vertically aligned, backwards designed, and scaffolded using a common instructional framework as well as primary source-based, problem-based, or project-based approach that is grounded in either critical literacy, 21st century learning, or both.

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Other curriculum services include rubric-based curriculum and instructional reviews of student- and teacher-facing materials for sequence, alignment, rigor, and cultural competency, among other areas.

Curriculum editing and revision services (including rewrites) for both content and style of instructional materials are also available.

In addition, content writing for non-classroom instructional material is also available.

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Consultations are available to discuss the development, review, and revision of all curriculum products. To schedule a consultation or to discuss pricing, please email Desk43 at curriculum@desk43.org.

For more information, click on the Services tab at the top of this page. On the Services page, click on Educator Services.