Standards

Outcomes

Provocative

Questions

BIG IDEAS

How do we get from here

… to here?

What is a Big Idea?

What makes it a Big Idea?

A big idea…(From Grant Wiggins, Understanding by Design)

Is a focusing lens Provides great breadth, connections Lies at the heart of expert understanding of

the subject Requires uncoverage because its

meaning/value – not obvious, is counter-intuitive, prone to misunderstanding

Big Ideas Typically appear as:(From Grant Wiggins, Understanding by Design)

Concept (migration, function, quantum) Theme (“Coming of Age,” “Go West…” Debate (“nature vs. nurture”, conservatives vs. liberals) Point of view (deconstruction, vegetarianism) Paradox (Freedom must have limits, imaginary numbers) Theory (evolution, Manifest Destiny) Principle (“All men are created equal”, F=ma) Underlying assumption (fair play, texts have meaning) Question (Why leave home? Can we prove it?)

Some questions for identifying “big ideas” (From Grant Wiggins, Understanding by Design)

Does it have many layers and nuances, not obvious to the naïve or inexperienced person?

Do you have to dig deep to really understand its meanings and implications – beyond a surface grasp?

Is it prone to misunderstanding and/or disagreement? Are you likely to change your mind about its meaning and

importance over a lifetime? Does it yield optimal depth and breadth of insight into the

subject? Does it reflect the core ideas as judged by experts?

Big Ideas. . .

Sample Big Ideas

From National Boards

Teacher Units

Our Local Native PeopleBig Ideas:

• People will adapt to their environment in order to survive.• People have historically formulated myths and legends to explain occurrences in their environments.• Communities create ceremonies to solidify the major events of their culture.

Master Artist Tribute SeriesLori Emmington

Big Ideas Art is a reflection of the culture and time it was made. Throughout history, artists have been influenced by artists and

artistic movements that have preceded them. A Master Artist is one whose creative ideas, discoveries and

techniques influenced the historical course of art styles and movements.

One way that we grow as an artist is to look at other artists' work, try to understand it aesthetically and then use this knowledge to continue to improve as an artist.

A clear understanding of the sensory components (elements of art) and the organization of these components (principles of design) is necessary for the creation and the evaluation of artworks

Human Systems(Digestive, Respiratory, Circulatory, and

Excretory)

THE BIG IDEAS!the human body needs systems in order to

functionwithout one of these systems the human body

would not function on its ownscientists use graphs to show data they collected

in an experimentthe medical profession was developed out of a

need to understand how the body works

By Amber Fontaine

Unlocking the Key to Unlocking the Key to the Solar Systemthe Solar System

What are the “Big Ideas” for this unit?Systems operate and move in an orderly pattern.

Gravity influences the paths, orbits and processes of celestial bodies.

The Sun directly affects the possibility of life and/or weather patterns on the planets.

Astronomers have developed and implemented formulas and techniques to learn about the solar system.

Soaring throughThe Solar System

Planet Earth is just a small part of our solar system.

Looking outside of one’s self and surroundings awakens curiosity and the formulation of new ideas.

Knowing the process of how to solve a mathematical problem will give one the ability to solve similar problems in different

contexts.

Accumulating knowledge is a never ending process, especially with the advancement in technology. Mrs. Kat Bahry

BIG IDEAS

Authors often provide insights about human experiences through fiction.

Everybody is entitled to an opinion about what text means, but the text supports some interpretations more than others.

Might does not make right.

QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

BIG IDEAS Content: Any quadratic equation can be

solved using the quadratic formula Inquiry: Projectile motion can be

modeled with a quadratic equation Nature of Math: The Fundamental

Theorem of Algebra determines the possible number of solutions to an

equation

2f x ax bx c

Big Ideas Political conflict can lead to

revolution Historical interpretation is

influenced by one’s perspective (Loyalists vs. Patriots or North vs. South)

Compromise is an essential element in the creation of historical documents and the shaping of new governments

The role revolution plays in shaping new governments and influencing other nations to change their governments. (battles, success and failure/resources)

Geography played an important role in the American Revolution

Writing Big Ideas Writing is a persuasive, political and powerful act—authors write

to offer their commentary on social, political, religious, and governmental norms of the age. Critical thinking skills are necessary to interpret and analyze an author’s views.

Authors use rhetorical strategies to create characters, plot, and setting in order to get ideas across. By analyzing how characters interact with each other and their environment, we can infer what the author thinks of a particular topic. These topics and how they are developed in a piece act as the theme(s) of a piece. Readers can interact with and analyze an author’s themes.

Students can incorporate their awareness of an author’s writing techniques into their own writing, and recognize the power in writing and communication through this process.

THE BIG IDEAS

Writers use specific tools (elements) to communicate to the reader.

Writers write from and are impacted by what they know or what has happened in their life.

There is structure to good writing. Our own perspective impacts our

understanding.

Big Ideas: ● Weathering, erosion, and deposition act together in a cycle to wear down and build up the earth’s surface, consequently these forces shape our landscape. ● Understanding science is often a hands-on process. ● Scientist use their knowledge of math and statistics to represent their findings.

Unit PlanSarah Kirby

Fishing for Big Ideas . . .

Since a big idea has many layers and nuances, how can you peel your way through the layers of misunderstandings, disagreements, and/or confusion?

You may not necessarily know what the “big” idea is yet, but how can you keep probing to break through the surface, to peel away through the layers of inconsistency until patterns and answers begin to emerge?

What are some possible big ideas that emerge from your standards? What are some big ideas that emerge from the pile of resources

related to your unit topic? –student resource materials, internet, textbooks, conversations with your colleagues, etc.

Narrow in on the big ideas that you feel most aptly characterize the nature of your unit. Write these as succinct but meaty statements – one liners that convey the essence of your topic.

Strategies to arrive at “Big Ideas”

1. Concept Mapping2. Look for Themes or Patterns 3. Identify different points of view (“nature vs.

nurture”, conservatives vs. liberals)4. Look for Paradoxes (Freedom must have limits,

imaginary numbers)5. Look for the subtext in underlying assumptions,

principles, or theories 6. Misunderstandings

Look for Themes or Patterns

Identify different points of view

Look for Paradoxes

Look for the subtext in underlying assumptions, principles, or theories

Misunderstandings