Vertical Articulation Sample and Activity

One consideration for curriculum planning is how content is distributed over the K-12 career of a student. Vertical
alignment is a spatial reference to the transition of students through each grade level. We need to consider how
concepts are developed throughout the career of a student, and how a particular topic content builds from grade level
to grade level. This articulation activity helps to determine what students should know before coming to a grade level
and what students will be expected to know as they leave that grade level and advance to the next level.

You will need to choose at least two of the following subjects to examine; 1) Literacy, 2) Math, 3) Science or 4)Social
Studies for completion of this assignment.

The Vertical Articulation Activity on page 2 is a chart that allows you to examine and record the content of a grade
level while making a comparison to the content that comes before and after a grade level. Use the directions below to
complete the assignment.
Instructions:
Go to iowacore.gov/iowa-core

1. Choose a subject. (Literacy, Math, Science or Social Studies)

2. Click a grade between 1-11.
3. Choose a topic (in a solid blue bar)
4. Choose one standard. (some may only have 1) (also in a solid blue bar) Click on it.
5. Choose one specific standard. EX: 1.G.A.1 (1st grade. Geometry. A.1)
6. In the middle column of page 2 of this document, record the following information:
7. Subject/Topic – Grade EX: Math/Geometry – 1st grade
Standard EX: Reason with shapes and their attributes.
Specific Standard EX: 1.G.A.1 (1st grade. Geometry. A.1)
Explanation EX: Distinguish between…
8. You will then look at that standard from the grade before and the grade after and record the that grade’s
information in the first and last column following the same format.
9. Keep in mind, that the Standard may change slightly between grades (see example below)
10. You will need to examine 3 standards across 3 grades for at least 2 different subject areas. (don’t do all math)

Example: Math (This is 1 standard for 1 subject)

Students’ Prior Knowledge as Expected Student Knowledge as
Identified in Standards Identified by Standards for next
grade level
st
1. Math/Geometry – Kindergarten Math/Geometry – 1 grade Math/Geometry – 2nd grade
*Identify and describe shapes Reason with shapes and their Reason with shapes and their
(squares, circles, triangles, attributes. attributes.
rectangles, hexagons, cubes, 1.G.A.1(1st grade. Geometry. A.1) 2.G.A.1(2nd grade. Geometry. A.1)
cones, cylinders, and spheres). Distinguish between defining Recognize and draw shapes having
K.G.A.1(kindergarten. Geometry. A.1) attributes (e.g., triangles are specified attributes, such as a given
Describe objects in the environment closed and three–sided) versus number of angles or a given number
using names of shapes, and describe non–defining attributes (e.g., of equal faces. Identify triangles,
the relative positions of these objects color, orientation, overall size); quadrilaterals, pentagons,
using terms such as above, below, build and draw shapes to hexagons, and cubes.
beside, in front of, behind, and next to. possess defining attributes.

* Not an exact match but still dealing with shapes.

 Vertical Articulation Activity
You will need to choose at least two of the areas to examine: Literacy, Math, Science or Social Studies for completion
of this assignment. (For example, don’t do ALL math)

Students’ Prior Knowledge as Expected Student Knowledge as

Identified in Standards Identified by Standards for next
grade level
Literary - 7th grade Literacy - 8th grade Literacy - 9/10th grade
Reading Standards for Informational Reading Standards for Reading Standards for
Text Informational Text Informational Text
RI.7.1 RI.8.1 RI.9-10.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence Cite the textual evidence that Cite strong and thorough textual
to support analysis of what the text most strongly supports an evidence to support analysis of what
says explicitly as well as inferences analysis of what the text says the text says explicitly as well as
drawn from the text. explicitly as well as inferences inferences drawn from the text.
drawn from the text.
Social Studies - 4th grade Social Studies - 5th grade Social Studies - 6th grade
Content Anchor Standard Content Anchor Standard Content Anchor Standard
SS.4.20. SS.5.21. SS.6.20.
Compare and contrast events that Describe the connections Analyze connections among
happened at the same time. between historical historical events and developments
developments that occurred in various geographic and cultural
within the same time period. contexts.
Mathematics - 1st grade Mathematics - 2nd grade Mathematics - 3rd grade
Operations and Algebraic Thinking Operations and Algebraic Operations and Algebraic
1.OA.A.1 Thinking Thinking
Use addition and subtraction within 20 2.OA.A.1 3.OA.A.1
to solve word problems involving Use addition and subtraction Interpret products of whole numbers,
situations of adding to, taking from, within 100 to solve one- and e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the total
putting together, taking apart, and two-step word problems number of objects in 5 groups of 7
comparing, with unknowns in all involving situations of adding to, objects each.
positions, e.g., by using objects, taking from, putting together,
drawings, and equations with a taking apart, and comparing,
symbol for the unknown number to with unknowns in all positions,
represent the problem. e.g., by using drawings and
equations with a symbol for the
unknown number to represent
the problem

In 3-4 sentences, EXPLAIN what you think THE PURPOSE of this assignment is.
(This answer will also help your reflection on our portfolio)
I believe that the purpose of this assignment is to see how each grade and the curriculum for each grade
connects. It’s important for all teacher’s to meet the said curriculum so the student can achieve for the next
years to come. Every year the student will reflect back on what they learned from previous years and how
they will use that previous knowledge to develop new knowledge for the present year and so forth.