How to Understand Topics
Embarc Topic Explanation
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Topics
Topics are smaller divisions of a unit, typically broken out by smaller periods of time, learning targets or standards. While a unit may last for a few weeks or longer blocks of time, those individual elements within the unit would be the topics. For example, if a teacher had a nine-week unit, there could be several topics or “chunks” of information that would form the topics covered during that nine-week unit. An example of bundling standards would be if a teacher designed a unit to cover three standards, she/he may break that unit into 3 separate topics.
Above is the basic Embarc curriculum structure, which demonstrates how the course is broken down into smaller units. Units are further divided into teachable topics, which is where student activities and identifiable learning targets are attached to the curriculum. Below are several examples of units and possible topics in different subject areas. As a reminder, learning targets are attached to the topic level – which is why topics can also be simply copied from the unit level if necessary.
CTE Health Science
5th Grade Science
6th Grade Social Studies
6th Grade Math
English III
Spanish I
Art