Planning for Instruction

From the readings, I learned that's important to have the end in mind when coming up with the curriculum a way to do that is using the UbD framework.  UbD frameworks is a three-stage planning process that helps guide and structured curriculum.

Stage 1- Identify Results

Key questions:

• What should students know, understand, and be able to do?
• What is the ultimate transfer we seel as a result of this unit?
• What essential questions will be explored in-depth and provide focus to all learning?

In this stage, you look at the goals and standards that you have to follow. Due to lack of time, you have to prioritize what you teach. 

Stage 2- Determine Assessment Evidence

Key questions:

• How would you know if students have achieved the desired results?
• How will we evaluate student performance in fair and consistent ways? 

In the UbD framework, there are six facets of understanding for assessment: 

• Explain 
• Interpret
• Apply
• Perspective
• Empathy
• Self-knowledge 

All of these facets don't have to be used in every assessment because some are hard to use in a specific context. In stage two you are assessing everything you want to accomplish in stage one. 

Stage 3- Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Key questions:

• How will we support learners as they come to understand important ideas and processes?
• What activities, sequence and resources are the best suited to accomplish our goals?

In this stage, teachers plan out the activities of the lesson. An issue that teachers face here is when teaching is primarily focused on presenting information and not for understanding. When you teach for understanding, students are given opportunities to make connections and generalizations for themselves.

I am excited to learn more about planning for instruction this coming week!