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.