Glossary of Terms
Big Learning Question- The deep level anchor question that connects each iINNOVATE units essential question all year long. The big learning questions centers in deep level learning.
Call to Action- The transfer level anchor question that connects each iINNOVATE units essential question all year long. The call to action question is centered in transfer level learning.
Co-Construction- Working with students to identify what they are learning, why they need to learn it and what they need to learn to fully understand it.
Deep-Level Learning- A level of academic learning that requires students to relate ideas and skills to develop a comprehensive understanding of relationships and general rules or principles within a discipline.
Design Thinking- The design thinking process in its long form has 7 phases: Empathy, Research, Defining the problem, ideate & brainstorm, model & prototype, test & evaluate, publish & produce. The process is a creative, problem- solving strategy that is designed to put you into the minds of the people you're solving problems for. Design thinking is the foundation for all iINNOVATE units.
Disposition- The behaviors that contribute to fulfilling potential.
Essential Question- The iINNOVATE units guiding question that connects all of the learning within that unit.
iINNOVATE Unit- An academic, cross curricular, multi-day, learning experience that moves students through the design process to discover solutions and answers to real world problems.
Protocol- A systematic structure that supports students in collaboration and communication.
Learning Experience Designer (LED) - A teacher who designs real world, rigorous, standards alighted, integrated learning experiences for students.
Surface-Level Learning- A level of academic complexity that requires students to understand single and multiple ideas or skills.
Transfer-Level Learning- A level of academic complexity that requires students to apply deeper-level understanding and skills within and across various disciplines and contexts. (Extending ideas and skills)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The iINNOVATE units are thoughtfully designed without pacing imbedded so that the Learning Experience Designer can deliver instruction in a way that is authentic to them. Some teachers prefer to do the iINNOVATE unit slowly over the trimester, once or twice a week during their social studies or science block while others prefer to set aside an entire week to do nothing but the iINNOVATE unit. Some teachers tie in the unit in all subjects throughout their instructional day for as long as they see fit.
To help support your pacing of the unit, below are some sample pacing guides developed in partnership with LED's and iINNOVATE TOSAs.
Kindergarten- Wagon Design,
First Grade: American Symbols Unit, The Business of Biomimetics Unit,
Second Grade: Bubble Wand Unit
If you would like help in designing a pacing guide for your unit, we would be happy to come out and support you.
No. Although the iINNOVATE units are aligned to SLCUSD's elementary grade level pacing guides they are first and foremost in alignment with the California Common Core State Standards. Therefore, an iINNOVATE may be delivered in any order that suits the teacher's classroom instruction.
No. We understand that not all classrooms are the same. Each iINNOVATE unit is designed as a suggestion for delivery of information. The learning experience designer has the ultimate control over how and when the learning experiences is delivered to students. The LED has complete freedom to move, change or enhance the unit to better suite the needs of their students.
Materials for each unit should have been ordered by your school site secretary before the school year began. If you can not find materials or need more support, please reach out to the iINNOVATE TOSA's.
No. Most of the iINNOVATE units do not require the innovation lab. The innovation lab is a creative hub with many resources that can be used to enhance the students learning experience. Resources can be checked out of the innovation lab and brought into your classroom. Remember this: the space does not define the learning, the learning defines the space.
Of course! All teachers and students may have access to the iINNOVATE units.