Understanding by Design (UbD) Framework
When lesson planning, a helpful tip would be to utilize the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework. UbD has become well-known thanks to Grant Wiggins, who has played a significant role in education. One contribution he has made to education is the UbD model. With this model, it is easier to ensure the curriculum is being properly aligned, which is essential. In the words of Grant Wiggins, “it is not a teaching tool, but a plan to make things better.”
This framework has planted the seeds for school leaders and teachers to reflect and examine the way they currently plan and rethink their planning if deemed appropriate. For instance, one of the “Five Big Ideas” by Jay McTighe and Wiggins is, “standards need to be unpacked.” A way to do this, to ensure teachers are truly understanding them and addressing them, would be to hold staff meetings or professional development opportunities. Those opportunities would provide valuable time to ensure the standards are being read and examined closely to plan for students more effectively.
Basically, the framework suggests using the backward design, which includes identifying desired results, determining assessment and evidence, and planning learning experience and instruction. Here, the focus is first on identifying the end result, or what exactly we want the students to have learned and planning assessment and instruction to ensure that what we intend for students to learn is truly being learned. Ultimately, the framework not only “promotes acquisition but also a student’s ability to know why knowledge and skills are important and how to apply and transfer them in meaningful, professional and socially important ways.”
When lesson planning, it is helpful to begin at the “end”, which is identifying what we want students to learn.
Outline Learning Objectives
If utilizing the UbD framework, the first step would be to outline learning objectives in lesson planning. When thoroughly thought out and prepared, lesson plans can be an extremely helpful resource — not only for submitting to administration but to remain organized and guide pacing. Learning objectives are a critical component from which to surround lesson plans. Beginning lesson plans with identifying learning objectives follows the UbD framework of beginning with the end in mind. Essentially, what is it we want students to know and learn? In identifying learning objectives, reviewing state and grade-level curriculum standards is imperative.
Being familiar with both will provide an opportunity to develop more effective lesson plans reflecting both state and curriculum standards. Learning objectives should be specific and attainable for all students. Further, once learning objectives have been outlined, it is important to make them visible to students and review them for each lesson. Doing so fosters student understanding of “why” and can facilitate student ownership in learning. Once students understand why they are doing something, it typically enhances student engagement.
Learning Activities
When utilizing the UbD framework, once learning objectives have been identified, learning activities must be planned. Think of the learning activities as: how students will learn the objectives? Now that we have established what we want students to know and learn, we must prepare learning activities. The students should know and learn what we want them to, as outlined by the learning objectives through the learning activities. The learning activities should be thoroughly planned out to engage students.
Planning learning activities requires a lot of thought not only around the learning objectives but around the students as well. For instance, how to differentiate and engage each student so that each can be successful. Learning activities include considering whether to read aloud, include a video clip, song, centers, whole group, small group, etc. Further, when planning learning activities, it is important to also plan and prepare the materials and resources needed. For instance, will different worksheets be needed for different center activities? Most likely, yes — it is important to have those prepared as well so that on the day of the lesson, everything is ready to go!
Learning activities should also include some sort of assessment, whether it is formative assessment or summative. Assessment is an important aspect of learning activities to understand whether or not students are learning what has been outlined. Assessment can serve as data to further inform instruction. For instance, some material may need to be retaught or presented in a different manner. Similarly, students may demonstrate mastery and will be able to move on.
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