Session One

 Backward Design is a process of lesson planning created by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe and introduced in Understanding by Design (1998).  This lesson design process concentrates on developing the lesson in a different order than in traditional lesson planning.

How is it different? Turn and Talk How do you see Backwards Design prepare students for future success?

Identify desired results. Set the vision. Focus on the big ideas. Create a shared vision. Departmental activities to focus on Enduring Understandings Standards (national, provincial, division) Essential Questions

 Identify desired results. Determine acceptable evidence. Determine how students demonstrate their knowledge. Focus on assessment before designing the learning activities. Expand the assessment continuum.

 Identify desired results. Determine acceptable evidence. Plan learning experiences and instruction. Plan instructional activities: Share best practice. Build in collaboration. Ensure success for all learners.

 What is important for students to be able to do, know, or perform?  What enduring understandings are needed?enduring understandings  What provincial standards need to be met?  What are the essential questions?essential questions

Worth being familiar with. Important to know and do. “Enduring Understanding” Wiggins, G & McTighe, J. (1998). Understanding by Design. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

 Go to the heart of the discipline.  Recur naturally throughout one’s learning and in the history of a field.  Raise other important questions.  Provide subject- and topic- specific doorways to essential questions.  Have no one obvious “right” answer.  Are deliberately framed to provoke and sustain student interest.

How will enduring understanding be measured? How will assessments vary?vary Both formal and informal Scope Time frame Setting Structure

 W  Where is it going?  H  Hook the students.  E  Explore and equip.  R  Rethink and revise.  E  Exhibit and evaluate.  Tailor to the student.  Organize

The video is a practical example of a teacher planning her math year using the Backwards Design Model.