Understanding Backwards Design - Civics Dr. Sarah Mathews Florida International University

PRESENTATION INFLUENCED BY GRANT WIGGINS AND JAY MCTIGHE’S UNDERSTANDING BY DESIGN (2006)

Key Ideas Start at the End Identify Big Ideas Generate Essential Questions Attach Objectives to Assessments Plan Learning Activities

Avoid “Twin Sins of Traditional Design” 1 st Form: Activity Focused = “Hands-on activities that are not minds-on.” 2 nd Form: Coverage Focused = “Marching through textbook in a whirlwind attempt to cover every piece of factual information.”

Backward Design Approach – Teaching for Understanding Step One: What questions can Motivate student learning? (Essential Questions) Step Two: What are the Core Understandings from this unit? (6 Facets of Understanding) Step Three: How can students Demonstrate these Understandings? (Assessment) Step Four: Which Activities can Facilitate learning? (Learning Plan) Step Five: How can we use Student Performance Data to Adapt our teaching? (Evaluation and Reflection)

Step One: Essential Questions There are fundamental, recurring social questions in history Focusing on these recurring questions helps make social studies more relevant to today’s world No “Finite” “Right/Wrong” answer Provocative or Thought-provoking Incorporate core ideas and inquiries within a discipline

Examples of Overarching Essential questions 1. What actions are justified in the interest of the welfare or security of the community? 2. What standards must be met to give leadership legitimate authority? 3. When are citizens justified in resisting governmental authority? 4. What should society do to promote fairness and justice for people who live within its jurisdiction? 5. What is the best way to distribute a society’s resources?

4. What should society do to promote fairness and justice for people who live within its jurisdiction? What is Justice? Who should determine what is just in society? When do individual rights conflict with group rights? When should citizens give up their rights for the good of the nation? When are citizens justified in withdrawing their consent and seeking political separation from an established state? What rights should be guaranteed to all citizens?

NOW YOU TRY SS.7.C.3.3: Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution.

Step Two: Identifying Big Ideas Broad and abstract Represented by one or two words Universal in application Timeless Represented by different examples Provide a lens for study Requires “uncoverage” Can transfer to other areas

Examples of Big Ideas Separation of Power Role of Media Limits on Power Now You Try…

Clarifying Content Priorities Worth Being Familiar With Important to Know and Do Big Ideas and Core Tasks

6 Facets of Understanding Explanation Interpretation Application Perspectives Empathy Self-Knowledge

NOW YOU TRY SS.7.C.3.3: Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution.

Step Three: Determining Evidence of Understanding What types of Evidence do we need? What specific Characteristics in students’ products or performances should we examine? Does this Evidence enable us to infer students’ level of understanding, skill-set, or disposition?

Range of Examples Informal checks for understanding Observations and dialogues Tests and quizzes Academic prompts Performance Tasks

Two Questions to Ask Could the proposed criteria be met but the performer still not demonstrate deep understanding? Could the proposed criteria not be met but the performer still show understanding?

Step Four: Plan Learning Activities - WHERETO W – Ensure that students understand Where the unit is headed and Why H – Hook students in the beginning and Hold their attention E – Equip students with experiences, tools, knowledge, etc. to accomplish performance goals. R – Provide opportunities to Rethink big ideas, Reflect on progress and Revise their work E – Build in opportunities for students to Evaluate their progress T – Be Tailored to reflect individuals talents, styles, skills O – Be Organized for deep understanding

Step Five: How can we use Student Performance Data to adapt our teaching? Which students Understood what we wanted them to understand? What Remediation can we provide for students that might need more time or instruction? What Enrichment can we provide for students that may have already grasped skills or concepts? How can we teach students to Self-Assess their own learning?

Thank You! Sarah Mathews Florida International University Department of Teaching and Learning, Social Studies