Introduction Essential Questions in Understanding by Design (UbD) based unit planning
Derek Schuelein, Ed.D.
& Agenda
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
Explain how the 3 stages of backward design can be used to plan a unit • Recognize the characteristics and purpose of Essential Questions • Write an authentic Essential Question • The plan: • Mini-lesson on UBD and Essential Questions • Partner/group work writing EQ’s • Review and share
Goals
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UbD
Understanding understanding: • Explain, interpret, apply, shift perspective, empathize, and self-assess • Learning by doing • Transfer, Meaning-making, Acquisition (TMA) • Essential Questions (we’ll get back to these later) • Backward design • Focus on transfer
Key Principles of
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The 3 Stages of Backward Design
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Stage 1 – Identify Desired Results
• What do we want the student to understand, and what should they be able to do with it?
• What are the transfer goals?
• Potential Pitfall Alert - Do not focus exclusively on content
The 3 Stages of Backward Design
• Stage 2 – Determine acceptable evidence
• What performance or products would provide evidence of student understanding?
• What are the assessment criteria?
• Are all assessments aligned to goals in stage 1?
• Tip – focus on evidence which demonstrates the ability to transfer.
The 3 Stages of Backward Design
• Stage 3 – Plan learning experiences and instruction
• What activities are required in order for students to be able to produce the evidence described in stage 2, thereby demonstrating mastery of the goals outlined in stage 1?
• What are the assessment criteria?
• Are all assessments aligned to goals in stage 1?
• Avoid activities that are hands-on but not minds-on
• Tip – Label activities as T.M.A.
Essential Questions – “Doorways to understanding”
• A question is “Essential” if it:
• Provokes deep thought and inquiry
• Is timeless in nature (recurring)
• It goes to the heart of a topic in a particular discipline
• It is relevant to the learners (serves as a hook)
• Schuelein’s Shortcuts:
• Does the question have a correct answer?
• Can the question be reasonably addressed in one paragraph or less?
Two Types of Essential Questions
Topical
How successful was the Civil Rights movement at expanding liberties?
How was Frog acting as a friend in the story?
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What is the value of place value?
What is magnetism?
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Overarching • To what extent is US history a history of progress? • Who is a true friend? •
Can everything be quantified?
If a force cannot be directly seen, how do we know it is there?
Examples of EQs and Understandings
(From ASCD White Paper, 2012)
Let’s Get Essential
• How are form and function related?
• What is the pattern?
• How are form and function related in biology?
• How are we able to prove the Pythagorean theorem?
• Who is a true friend?
• How did Samantha feel when she was alone on the playground?
• How can we identify theme in a story?
• Which strangers can I trust?
Writing EQs
• Now it’s your turn:
• Tip – Look back at the “Big Ideas” from your units. What question(s) can these help me answer?
References
• Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005) Understanding by design (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
• Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2011) The understanding by design guide to creating high-quality units. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
• Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. UbD White Paper, retrieved from: https://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD _WhitePaper0312.pdf.
Questions?
