The curriculum matrix is a tool to help curriculum coordinators, principals, and superintendents specify, justify, and align curriculum and instructional time to district specified standards. The problem the curriculum matrix solves is connecting the curriculum; that is, tracing an idea from initial justification to its placement in the curriculum and to the time allotments and activities used to instruct children. Six basic tasks of curriculum development are described, and uses of the curriculum matrix are suggested for the last four tasks (the first two to be accomplished prior to the use of the matrix): (1) describing existing instruction; (2) constructing district standards for subject areas; (3) aligning and modifying instructional descriptions to meet district standards; (4) managing and assessing instructional units; (5) updating and refining curricula; and (6) deducing the district's philosophy of education. Sample instrumentation is included in the appendix: a content outline for reading/language arts, a set of objectives indexed by content area, and an enumerated list of reading/language arts objectives for grade 1, all from Red Bank (New Jersey) Public Schools, where the curriculum matrix has been successfully implemented. (TE)