Understanding by Design (UbD) is a framework for designing and implementing curriculum that focuses on student understanding and performance. The UbD unit plan template is a tool used by educators to create effective and engaging lesson plans. Here are five essential steps to follow when using the UbD unit plan template:
Step 1: Identify Desired Results
In this step, educators identify the desired results of the lesson or unit. This involves determining what students will be able to do, know, and understand as a result of the instruction. The desired results should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Educators should also consider the big ideas, key concepts, and essential questions that will guide the instruction.
Key questions to consider in this step:
- What are the big ideas and key concepts that students need to understand?
- What are the essential questions that will guide the instruction?
- What are the desired results of the lesson or unit?
Big Ideas and Key Concepts
Big ideas are the overarching concepts that students need to understand in order to achieve the desired results. Key concepts are the specific ideas that are essential to the big ideas. Educators should identify the big ideas and key concepts that are relevant to the lesson or unit.
Essential Questions
Essential questions are the questions that guide the instruction and help students achieve the desired results. These questions should be open-ended, thought-provoking, and aligned with the big ideas and key concepts.
Step 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence
In this step, educators determine the acceptable evidence that students will need to provide to demonstrate their understanding of the big ideas and key concepts. This involves identifying the assessments and evaluation methods that will be used to measure student learning.
Key questions to consider in this step:
- What types of assessments and evaluation methods will be used to measure student learning?
- What are the criteria for acceptable evidence?
- How will student work be evaluated and graded?
Assessments and Evaluation Methods
Educators should identify the assessments and evaluation methods that will be used to measure student learning. These may include quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, and class discussions.
Criteria for Acceptable Evidence
Educators should establish clear criteria for acceptable evidence. This may include rubrics, checklists, and scoring guides.
Step 3: Design the Learning Experience
In this step, educators design the learning experience that will help students achieve the desired results. This involves creating a sequence of lessons and activities that are aligned with the big ideas, key concepts, and essential questions.
Key questions to consider in this step:
- What are the key learning activities and experiences that students will need to engage in?
- How will the learning activities be sequenced and organized?
- What resources and materials will be needed to support the learning activities?
Learning Activities and Experiences
Educators should identify the key learning activities and experiences that students will need to engage in. These may include lectures, discussions, group work, and hands-on activities.
Sequencing and Organization
Educators should sequence and organize the learning activities in a way that makes sense for the students. This may involve creating a scope and sequence chart or a lesson plan template.
Step 4: Develop a Performance Task
In this step, educators develop a performance task that requires students to apply what they have learned. The performance task should be aligned with the big ideas, key concepts, and essential questions.
Key questions to consider in this step:
- What is the performance task that students will need to complete?
- How will the performance task be aligned with the big ideas, key concepts, and essential questions?
- What are the criteria for success?
Performance Task
Educators should develop a performance task that requires students to apply what they have learned. This may involve a project, presentation, or written assignment.
Criteria for Success
Educators should establish clear criteria for success. This may include rubrics, checklists, and scoring guides.
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust Instruction
In this final step, educators monitor and adjust instruction to ensure that students are achieving the desired results. This involves collecting and analyzing data, and making adjustments to the instruction as needed.
Key questions to consider in this step:
- What data will be collected to measure student learning?
- How will the data be analyzed and used to inform instruction?
- What adjustments will be made to the instruction to ensure that students are achieving the desired results?
Data Collection and Analysis
Educators should collect and analyze data to measure student learning. This may involve formative and summative assessments, as well as observations and feedback.
Adjusting Instruction
Educators should make adjustments to the instruction as needed to ensure that students are achieving the desired results. This may involve re-teaching concepts, providing additional support, or challenging students with new learning experiences.
By following these five essential steps, educators can create an effective UbD unit plan template that helps students achieve the desired results.
We hope you found this article helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to share them with us. What are your experiences with using the UbD unit plan template? Share your thoughts and ideas with us!
What is the UbD unit plan template?
+The UbD unit plan template is a tool used by educators to create effective and engaging lesson plans. It involves identifying desired results, determining acceptable evidence, designing the learning experience, developing a performance task, and monitoring and adjusting instruction.
Why is it important to identify desired results?
+Identifying desired results is important because it helps educators create a clear and focused plan for instruction. It ensures that students are working towards specific and measurable goals, and that educators are able to assess and evaluate student learning effectively.
How do I determine acceptable evidence?
+To determine acceptable evidence, educators should identify the types of assessments and evaluation methods that will be used to measure student learning. This may include quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, and class discussions. Educators should also establish clear criteria for acceptable evidence, such as rubrics, checklists, and scoring guides.