Don’t Assume Your Canned Curriculum is Aligned: Pitfalls to Avoid When Creating Live Virtual Lessons
The Virtual Vibe: Success and Sanity for the Online Teacher
July 21, 2025
Many virtual teachers are required to use pre-packaged curricula provided by their schools or districts, often assuming these materials are perfectly aligned to state standards. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. When the curriculum doesn’t fully match standards, it can create learning gaps, compliance headaches, and frustration for both teachers and students.
When you slap live lessons on top of canned content without a plan, you might be doubling down on the confusion or repeating yourself, adding fuel to the fire instead of putting it out.
Why Canned Curriculum Alignment Isn’t Guaranteed
Curriculum packages vary. Sometimes they’re as outdated as your last Wi-Fi password change, or only loosely aligned to standards. State standards often change faster than the curriculum you’re given, which can leave your resources feeling outdated before you even start.
When alignment is off, it’s not just inconvenient, it’s risky. You might end up:
Teaching content that isn’t even assessed on the state exam
Watching students fail standards-based questions despite “completing” the course
Scrambling during an admin observation when someone asks, “Which standard or benchmark does this align to?”
Pro Tip: Don’t be a passive content consumer. Treat your curriculum like a mystery novel — read it closely, look for plot holes (aka gaps in standards), and don’t be afraid to question the author.
Audit Your Curriculum: Know What You’re Teaching
Before you start making those fancy live lessons, take a real look at what’s actually in your canned curriculum versus your state standards.
Cross-check pacing guides with current standards.
Pinpoint where the curriculum skims the surface or totally misses the mark.
Check your student data. Where are students stumbling? Those are your gold mines.
Pro Tip: If you’re not using student performance data to drive your lesson planning, you might as well be throwing darts blindfolded, fun but mostly pointless. (Also not a good idea in crowded spaces.)
Don’t Teach Just What You Love, Teach What Students Need
I taught Earth Space Science for seven years. I was obsessed with the ocean, so naturally, I created a live lesson about it and taught it repeatedly. It was fun, it was me, but it wasn’t based on what students actually struggled with. Did they master standards-based content? Great question. I don’t know, but I do know that they will never forget that a single parrotfish can poop out over 11,000 pounds of sand every year.
Fast forward to my coaching years and a wake-up call, teaching based on personal favorites is like picking between Double Stuf and Original Oreos, tasty for you but irrelevant if your students are starving for something else.
Pro Tip: Before your next live lesson binge, ask yourself if you’re serving up student needs or your own cravings. Hint: data doesn’t lie, but your heart might.
Common Pitfalls When Layering Live Lessons on Canned Content
Doubling down on the same material like a broken record nobody asked to hear again.
Skipping critical standards that the curriculum conveniently left out, sneaky!
Confusing pacing that makes students wonder if they signed up for a course or an obstacle course.
Pro Tip: Less is more. Resist the urge to over-teach just because you can. Keep your lessons targeted, timely, and helpful.
Strategies for Effective Live Lessons That Complement Curriculum
Use data, not drama, to pick your lesson topics.
Build lessons that deepen understanding or clarify confusion, no fluff, no filler.
Align pacing to avoid turning your students into lost hikers.
Be crystal clear on what students should know, do, and produce.
Team up with admins, coaches, colleagues, or curriculum developers, your sanity will thank you.
Pro Tip: Collaboration isn’t just corporate buzzword jargon. It’s your secret weapon to keep your sanity and students on track.
Advocate for Alignment and Share Feedback
If your curriculum is a hot mess, don’t suffer in silence. Share what you’re seeing. Your insight is the reality check your team needs.
Pro Tip: Keep feedback focused and fact-based, not a venting session. Channel your inner diplomat, not drama queen.
Final Thought
Live lessons can be magic when done with purpose. Don’t be that teacher throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping it sticks. Use data, be intentional, and teach with real impact.
Pause, Ponder & Progress
When was the last time I audited my canned curriculum against current standards instead of assuming it’s on point?
Am I creating live lessons based on what students actually struggle with or just what I enjoy teaching?
How often do I check student data before deciding which standards need extra support?
What redundancies might I be introducing by layering live lessons on top of canned content?
How can I collaborate better with my team to improve curriculum alignment and live instruction quality?
About the Author
With over 20 years in education - most of them spent in the virtual trenches - Desire’ Mosser has done more than survive online teaching; she’s helped others thrive in it! As the author of SOS: Strategies for Online Survival, she dishes out practical tools, honest lessons, and just the right amount of humor to keep educators going.
Former Pasco eSchool Teacher of the Year and Florida Virtual Schools Mentor of the Year, she continues to champion excellence in virtual learning today. She currently serves as Vice President of B.O.L.D. (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). Her passion? Coaching educators to find their stride, build meaningful connections with students and families, and master the art of scheduling for sanity—preferably with a strong cup of coffee in hand. For more real talk, useful tips, and the occasional caffeine-fueled confession, connect with her on LinkedIn.
