Curriculum Maps

Instructional Alignment: For Math, Montana districts must use the New Meridian Scheduler tool to align the 3-5 Math testlets to their local sequence. You should teach the specific math standard immediately before the corresponding testlet window for the most accurate data.
ELA Complexity: ELA testlets are designed to increase in complexity across the three windows. Window 1 focuses on "readily accessible" texts, while Window 3 uses "highly complex" texts.
IEFA Integration: Under Montana's Content Standards, every unit must authentically integrate Indian Education for All (IEFA). For example, during Window 1's Narrative Writing, you might use literature from Montana's Tribal Nations to teach perspective and voice.
The "Performance Task": Note that Window 2 is the heaviest for ELA because it includes a Performance Task. This usually requires students to read multiple texts and produce a written response, so your curriculum should prioritize writing from sources in January and February.

Window	Focus Period	ELA Standard Focus	Math Standard Focus	MAST / State Testing
Window 1	Oct 13 – Dec 5	Literary & Informational: Determining main ideas and summarizing text; intro to narrative writing.	Operations & Algebraic Thinking: Whole number place value, multi-digit multiplication/division.	MAST Window 1: 2 ELA Testlets; 3-5 Math Testlets.
Window 2	Jan 12 – Mar 6	Craft & Structure: Analyzing text structure (compare/contrast) and point of view.	Number & Operations (Fractions): Addition/subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators.	MAST Window 2: 2 ELA Testlets + 1 Performance Task; 3-5 Math Testlets.
Window 3	Mar 30 – May 22	Integration of Knowledge: Comparing multiple accounts of the same event; research-based writing.	Measurement, Data & Geometry: Volume concepts and graphing points on a coordinate plane.	MAST Window 3: 2 ELA Testlets; 3-5 Math Testlets + 1 Anchor Testlet.
Science	Spring Window	N/A	N/A	MSA Science: (Grades 5 & 8) March 2 – May 22.