Understanding by Design

Backwards Planning

Basics of Backwards Design

Step 1: Identify the Desired Results

Step 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Step 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

STEP 1:Identifying the Desired

ResultsList the standards you wish to teachUnpack the standard(s)Determine the Essential QuestionsDetermine the Topical QuestionsDetermine the Key Understandings

Unpacking the StandardGrade 6 Science- SOL 6.6c

The student will investigate and understand the properties of air and the structures and dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere. Key concepts include:

C- how the atmosphere changes with altitude.

Stated or implied ideas in Nouns & Adjectives:•Structure and dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere•Changes with altitude

Stated or implied real- world performance in the verbs:•Investigate the structures and dynamics of the atmosphere•Understand how the atmosphere changes with altitude

You unpack the standards

What is an Essential Question?

Broad in scopeNot easily answered in one sentence-

meant to be discussedMight be controversial or pose a dilemmaRequires reasoning and justificationSparks more questions Important questions that recur

throughout all our lives- K-12 and beyond

DOE Website

Did you know that the DOE website has already created essential

questions for you?

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/sol.html#general

Essential Questions•What are the structures and dynamics of the earth’s atmosphere?•How do the layers of the atmosphere impact our lives?

You Write an Essential Question

What is a Topical Question?

What exactly do I want my students to know about this topic?

Can be answered by uncovering the SOL content

Can be answered as a result of in-depth inquiry into a single topic

Can be answered in 1-2 sentences

Topical Questions•What are the 5 layers on the atmosphere?•What are the general characteristics of each layer?

You Write Topical Questions

Comparing Types of Questions

Essential Question How do the various body

system interact? What are the factors

influencing the rise and fall of powerful nations?

In what ways does art reflect, as well as shape, culture?

How do authors use different story elements to establish mood?

Topical Question How does food turn into

energy? Why did the Roman

Empire collapse? What do ceremonial

masks reveal about Inca culture?

How does Ernest Hemingway use language to establish a mood?

Knowledge versus Understanding

Knowledge- Topical QuestionsThe factsVerifiable claimsRight or wrong I know something to be true I respond on cue with what I know

Knowledge versus Understanding

Understanding- Essential Questions The meaning of the facts The theory that provides coherence and

meaning to the facts Fallible, in-process theories A matter of degree or sophistication I understand why it is, what makes it

knowledge I judge when and when not to use what I

know

Determining Key Understandings

Key Understandings•The 4 layers of the atmosphere- Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, and Troposphere•The high and low temperature of each layer•The height of each layer•The relationship of the layer to the ground•The characteristics of each layer

You Write the Key Understandings

Step 2- Determine Acceptable Evidence

Performance Tasks and ProjectsTraditional Evidence

Informal Checks/ObservationsQuizzes and TestsHomeworkReflectionsSelf-assessment

Planning Assessments1.What kinds of evidence do we

need?2.What specific characteristics in

student responses, products, or performance should we examine?

3. Does the proposed evidence enable us to infer a student’s knowledge, skill, or understanding?

How Can Technology Help in Planning Assessments?

Online quizzes and testsDifferentiationPortfoliosRubrics

How will these assessments be converted to data to answer questions about

student learning?

Planning for LearningPlan engaging lessons that will:

Accomplish learningResult in good performance on

assessmentsBe engaging and effective

How can technology be used to build engaging

lessons?

Project based/student centered learning

CollaborationCommunicationPrograms and online resourcesCreativityAs a differentiation tool

What can you do to help teachers plan effective

lessons using the Backwards Design

methods?

What can you do to help teachers plan effective

lessons using the Backwards Design

Method?

References Covey, S.R. (1989). The seven habits of highly effective

people: Powerful lessons in personal change. New York: Free Press. Wiggins, G. and McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by

Design. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc. McCollum, S. L. (1994) Performance Assessment in the Social Studies Classroom:

A How-To Book for Teachers. Poplin, MO: Chalk Dust Press. McTighe, J. and Wiggins, G. (1999) The Understanding by Design Handbook.

Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Social Studies Center for Educator Development. (1999) Texas Social Studies

Framework, Kindergarten- Grade 12: Research and Resources for Designing a Social Studies Curriculum.

Austin, TX: Texas Education Agency. Wiggins, G. and McTighe, J. (1998) Understanding by Design. Alexandria, VA:

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.