Unit Development
Vision to action begins here.
Model units
Explore the Smoky Sunsets lessons on this page with a critical lens. We developed this mini-units to be place-based and align with the WYSS. Then scroll down to explore a unit development progression that may assist you in creating phenomenon-based storyline units that captivate your students.
Smokey Sunsets
(c) Inouye_Houseal ASTE 2019 smokey sunsets unit planning.pdfLets create a Unit together
Take your time here. Think about whether or not you’re designing a unit geared towards sense-making that encourages your students to explore and investigate. Starting this process can be a challenge, however an effective first step is to unpack your standards and see what you have.
Start by identifying standards specific to your grade. Generate a vision for what you are being asked to teach and how they might connect to other content areas. These tools will assist you in this process:
CCSD MSP NGSS K5 Vertical Articulation DCI - CCSD MSP SP16.pdfK-5 Vertical Articulation
Copy of NGSS 6-12 Vertical Articulation DCI.pdf6-12 Vertical Articulation
You may have noted that certain performance expectations align well with others, while others do not. Grouping these standards is the next step in unit design through a process called "bundling."
bundling
As a starting point, we have found that it is worth taking the time to deconstruct and reorganize (or "bundle")groups of standards. This is the process used to identify the main and supporting concepts in a set of standards and reorganize them in a manner in which they connect within the dimensions. This is the first step in creating phenomenon-based storyline units, which are designed to engage students in sense-making. Below are some resources used to help with bundling:
Intro to Bundling.pdfNGSS Bundle Guide
This NGSS resource provides an overview of the bundling process.
Bundling Matrix.pdfBundling Matrix
Use this matrix to provide yourself with an overview of all the standards within an individual bundle
It's time to make these Bundles Phenomenal
Now that these bundles are beginning to feel like units, use them to tell a story that ignites curiosity. The phenomenon that you choose for your bundles is much more than a "hook". Rather, it should anchor your unit and provide a coherent thread throughout. In this way, it provides students with points of reflection and synthesis of new understanding. The tools below can help to identify a phenomenon that is appropriate for your bundled unit.
What makes a good Phenomenon_.pdfWhat makes a good Phenomenon?
Using+Phenomena+in+NGSS.pdfUsing Phenomena in NGSS-Designed Lessons and Units
AmplifyScience_Phenomena.pdfWhat's so Phenomenal about Phenomena?
Putting it all together
The next step in the process is to obtain (and evaluate) or design lessons and activities that lead to 3D student-centered learning and will assist students in explaining the unit phenomenon/phenomen. Use the following resources to help revise old or design new lessons to provide students with opportunities to engage in sense-making.
Template for Unit Development.pdfTemplate For unit Development
Use this document to guide you in producing investigations that align with your unit's phenomenon and standards.
Houseal Model wSS citation FINAL.pdfExplanatory Model
Use this "explanatory" version of our 3D model to identify what specific components should be a part of your lessons.
Houseal Model Blank with SS citation FINALpdf (1).pdfBlank Model
This "blank" version of our 3D model can be used for evaluative the lessons that you design. It will allow you to identify how components of your lesson correspond with the three dimensions and help you identify any gaps.