Finding You inFinding You inUbD UbD

((Understanding by Design)Understanding by Design)

Workshop GoalsWorkshop Goals

Defining UbDDefining UbD

Identifying Big IdeasIdentifying Big Ideas, , Essential Essential Questions, and Focusing QuestionsQuestions, and Focusing Questions

Developing these Stage 1 elements Developing these Stage 1 elements for a unit for a unit

Workshop GoalsWorkshop Goals

Defining UbDDefining UbD

Identifying Big IdeasIdentifying Big Ideas, , Essential Essential Questions, and Focusing QuestionsQuestions, and Focusing Questions

Developing these Stage 1 elements Developing these Stage 1 elements for a unit for a unit

What is UbD?What is UbD? Backwards PlanningBackwards Planning

A system that forces you to be proactive A system that forces you to be proactive and look at the entire picture before and look at the entire picture before deciding on the day by day lessons.deciding on the day by day lessons.

It is a proactive process that helps students It is a proactive process that helps students construct their own meaning, and makes construct their own meaning, and makes understanding of Big Ideas more likely.understanding of Big Ideas more likely.

Big Ideas-Essential Questions embed civic Big Ideas-Essential Questions embed civic and character education.and character education.

What is Understanding by Design? What is Understanding by Design? (UbD)(UbD)

3 stages3 stagesStage 1- What do you want the students to know? Stage 1- What do you want the students to know?

Goals, Standards, Content, Skills, Essential Goals, Standards, Content, Skills, Essential Questions, Big IdeasQuestions, Big Ideas

Stage 2- How do you know if they got it?Stage 2- How do you know if they got it?

Assessments/Culminating ProjectsAssessments/Culminating Projects

Stage 3 – How will you get them there?Stage 3 – How will you get them there?

Day to day lesson plansDay to day lesson plans

Why are we doing Magnet & UbD?Why are we doing Magnet & UbD? District 28 is now a Middle School Choice district.District 28 is now a Middle School Choice district. We must stand out to attract and retain the best We must stand out to attract and retain the best

level 4 parents.level 4 parents. We must differentiate ourselves from all the other We must differentiate ourselves from all the other

middle schools. UbD will help us create a unique middle schools. UbD will help us create a unique curriculum that will set us apart.curriculum that will set us apart.

Being the Green Magnet School gives us an edge. Being the Green Magnet School gives us an edge. We have something different, timely, and real- We have something different, timely, and real-world to offer students.world to offer students.

Attract Funders. We have to be special.Attract Funders. We have to be special.

Goals of WorkshopGoals of Workshop

Defining UbDDefining UbD

Identifying Big IdeasIdentifying Big Ideas, , Essential Essential Questions, and Focusing QuestionsQuestions, and Focusing Questions

Developing these Stage 1 elements Developing these Stage 1 elements for a unit for a unit

The Overarching Concept that encompasses Essential Questions, Content, and Skills

The Big Idea will be in the form of a word or phrase.The Big Idea will be transferable.

The Big Idea will be a vital part of all 3 stages of your unit.

The Big Idea will relate to a Green Magnet Standard

Other SuggestionsOther Suggestions

Goals of WorkshopGoals of Workshop

Introducing the Introducing the 3 stages3 stages of UBD of UBD

Identifying Big Ideas, Identifying Big Ideas, Essential Essential QuestionsQuestions, Focusing Questions, Focusing Questions

Developing Big Ideas, Essential Developing Big Ideas, Essential Questions, Focusing Questions for a Unit Questions, Focusing Questions for a Unit

Example: Social StudiesExample: Social Studies

Goals of WorkshopGoals of Workshop

Introducing the Introducing the 3 stages3 stages of UBD of UBD

Discussing Big Ideas, Essential Discussing Big Ideas, Essential

Questions, Questions, Focusing QuestionsFocusing Questions

Developing Big Ideas, Essential Developing Big Ideas, Essential Questions, Focusing Questions for a Unit Questions, Focusing Questions for a Unit

Focusing QuestionsFocusing Questions•Can be googledCan be googled•Sometimes can be answered yes or noSometimes can be answered yes or no•Can be proven or disprovenCan be proven or disproven•Relate to specific content and/or skillsRelate to specific content and/or skills•Are disciplilne-specificAre disciplilne-specific•Can be answered with factsCan be answered with facts

Essential vs FocusingEssential vs Focusing

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES Are there “winners” and Are there “winners” and

who “losers” when who “losers” when technologies change?technologies change?

Why do we study Why do we study science?science?

Focusing QuestionsFocusing Questions EXAMPLESEXAMPLES What are the differences What are the differences

between vertebrate and between vertebrate and invertebrate animals?invertebrate animals?

How do animals adapt to How do animals adapt to change?change?

How can studying Venus How can studying Venus help us understand help us understand Global Warming?Global Warming?

Your Task. Work in PairsYour Task. Work in Pairs

Select a unit of study. Populate the unit Select a unit of study. Populate the unit template with:template with: Big Idea(s)Big Idea(s) Essential QuestionsEssential Questions Focusing Questions Focusing Questions

SHARE OUTSHARE OUT Distribution of Planning ToolDistribution of Planning Tool

District 28 is now a Middle School Choice district.District 28 is now a Middle School Choice district. We must stand out to attract and retain the best level 4 We must stand out to attract and retain the best level 4

parents.parents. We must differentiate ourselves from all the other We must differentiate ourselves from all the other

middle schools. UbD will help us create a unique middle schools. UbD will help us create a unique curriculum that will set us apart.curriculum that will set us apart.

Being the Green Magnet School gives us an edge. We Being the Green Magnet School gives us an edge. We have something different, timely, and real-world to offer have something different, timely, and real-world to offer students.students.

Attract Funders. We have to be special.Attract Funders. We have to be special.

Why are we doing Magnet & UbD?Why are we doing Magnet & UbD?

66thth Grade Science Curriculum Grade Science Curriculum

77thth Grade Science Grade Science

88thth Grade Science Grade Science

Graphic Organizer for PlaningGraphic Organizer for Planing Big IdeaBig Idea Essential QuestionEssential Question Focusing Question – Standards-based Learning Focusing Question – Standards-based Learning

ObjectiveObjective Mini-Lesson: Content or SkillMini-Lesson: Content or Skill Student Work Time – Differentiated (Flexible Student Work Time – Differentiated (Flexible

Groups, Conferring, Small Group Instruction, Varied Groups, Conferring, Small Group Instruction, Varied Assignments)Assignments)

AssessmentAssessment Connections and SummariesConnections and Summaries

EvaluationEvaluationOn the back of your agenda, please do a On the back of your agenda, please do a

quick write on the following : quick write on the following : EXIT TICKETEXIT TICKET

Which Big Ideas and Essential Questions stimulated your imagination?Which Big Ideas and Essential Questions stimulated your imagination? What did you find useful about today?What did you find useful about today?

Suggestions for making this training worthwhile and usableSuggestions for making this training worthwhile and usable

   Would you be interested in the February UbD Workshop?Would you be interested in the February UbD Workshop?

Friday February 4 (all day), Saturday February, 5Friday February 4 (all day), Saturday February, 5 thth (6 hrs Per Session) Friday, February 11 (all day), (6 hrs Per Session) Friday, February 11 (all day), Saturday, February 12 (6 hrs Per Session)(Four days attendance and a completed unit and, Saturday, February 12 (6 hrs Per Session)(Four days attendance and a completed unit and, submitted by November 18submitted by November 18thth, will qualify you for the 12 hours of per session, otherwise people will , will qualify you for the 12 hours of per session, otherwise people will get training rate)get training rate)