+

Understanding by DesignAn Approach to Lesson Planning

+Understanding by Design: a Definition Understanding by Design is a term that describes a backward-design

lesson plan model. This model is meant to meet a “primary goal of education…[which is] the

development and deepening of student understanding,” (Wiggins and McTighe, 2011).

In this model, the teacher begins by selecting the end goal or objective, and then builds the lesson(s) from there.

The next steps include designating assessments which would show that students have met the end objectives, and then choosing lesson plan activities that would help students towards the assessment and objectives steps.

The above definition matches well to that of educator Diane Ravitch’s (2007) definition of Understanding by Design: A “form of curriculum planning that begins with a decision about what

students need to learn as the end result. Then the teacher engages in backward design, choosing activities that will bring students to the preselected goal. Although the belief that classroom activities should be based on a set curriculum or on set learning goals is not new, this widely used program is attributed to Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe" (p.. 223).

+Understanding by Design

So, what Understanding by Design really means is that the understanding of curriculum and lesson objectives comes from the design of the lesson or lessons.

As Ravitch (2007) points out, the idea of planning lessons and curriculum around objectives is not a new idea, which we can see from the fact that there are objectives and standards set forth by the states and public schools.

+Understanding by Design: What to Know as Teachers

As teachers, when using the Understanding by Design model, it is important to be well-versed, or at least have access to and knowledge of state standards and school objectives, so that we may effectively design lessons and curriculum

For teachers in Illinois, learning standards are available through this link: Illinois Learning Standards. Or, just visit the ISBE website. When planning curriculum, do not forget to include the

Social-Emotional Learning Standards.

+Understanding by Design: Review

In review, here are the steps of Understanding by Design 1. Choosing the standards and objectives you wish your

students to meet. 2. Designing or choosing assessments to mark students’

understanding of the chosen concepts. 3. Designing “learning activities” to help students reach

learning objectives (McTighe and Wiggins, 2005).

Don’t forget to consult your state standards and other resources!

+Understanding by Design: Resources

The Understanding by Design Guide to Creating High-Quality Units by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins, 2011ß

EdSpeak: A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzwords, and Jargon by Diane Ravitch, 2007

Authentic Education

ISBE

Illinois Learning Standards