Why UbD?

UbDUnderstanding by DesignMaterials Needed:PuzzlesChart Paper for each tableChart markers for each tableAgenda w/ Nutshell on backNotecards for each table1Why UbD?Complete this sentence.By the end of this year, I want my students to be able to, on their own, use ALL of the content learned this year to

Well come back to this.3Weve DoneCurriculum MappingQuarter AssessmentsItem AnalysisUnit Alignmentand the list continues

So, whats so different about Understanding by Design?4This is NOT just another initiative.This is NOT something that will just go away.This is NOT something just to complete and turn in.

Whats DifferentThis IS a different way of thinking about teaching.This IS a process, not a product.This WILL continue in years to come.This WILL help make us a true PLC.This WILL improve teaching & learning.

Whats DifferentWhat is the point of school?The point is not to get good at school.

The point is genuine understanding that can be used beyond school. So, if this is our goal, we need to design backwards from THAT goal. Not from mastering the recall of the content we are to teach. Teachers/School systems often hope for good fortune. Hope that kids can make meaning and understanding in the real world based on what we teach. 7Bad Habits to BreakMost curriculum documents, textbooks and programs are simply a TOUR of content.This will never cause UNDERSTANDING.Many teachers plan with only the content, the topics, or the activities in mind. This will never cause UNDERSTANDING.Classrooms often march through the content to get it all done. This will never cause UNDERSTANDING.Teachers reinforce simple recall and prompt memorized material to ensure good grades.This will never cause UNDERSTANDING.

for students to USE the content.for students to make their own meaning.for students to APPLY the content.What we really want isWe dont want kids to just know the content.This meansWe must plan backwards from USES of the content that demonstrate true understanding. Were back to your sentence.Look at it again. Did you finish the sentence listing the content or topics you want kids to understand?

By the end of this year, I want my students to be able to, on their own, use ALL of the content learned this year tounderstand Newtons three laws of motion.understand the Constitution.know the types of genres.

If so, its time to make revisions. What are the USES of the content you teach? What do students really need to understand about your content? What are the applications?

11We need to start thinking about what we want kids to really understand about these topics.

How will they use the content?

How can they apply it to life outside of school?Why UbD?So, once again.UbD provides us with a smart framework to help us really change how we think about and plan our teaching. UbD helps ensure that our students gain genuine understanding that can be used beyond school, not just filling the role of being good at school.UbD will be a necessary ingredient for us to become a true Professional Learning Community.13