Social Studies
Each Social Studies unit is constructed around the Big Ideas and Understandings contained in the standards. A few Essential Questions are developed that capture the essence of these Big Ideas and Understandings. These questions frame the subsequent instruction that occurs in day-to-day lessons. The essential questions are revisited throughout the unit as students gain new knowledge through a variety of learning experiences. Students growing understanding of the Big Ideas and Understandings (formatively monitored through their thoughts on the essential questions) is one source of evidence of content mastery.
Ex :
- Big Idea: Confict & Cooperation
- Understanding(s) Students will understand that conflict or cooperation are determined by multiple factors.
- Essential Question(s):
- What causes people to follow a path of confict? cooperation?
- Can confict be avoided?
- Should people always choose cooperation over conflict?
Effective Social Studies Teaching Practices
1. Instruction is built around big ideas and essential questions.
2. Instructional choices (lecture, writing to learn, close reading, etc.) are anchored in the essential questions and big ideas.
3. Students use knowledge and skills to develop understanding of big ideas and essential questions.
4. Instruction promotes transfer of knowledge and skills beyond this class.
UbD or Backward Design
"Our lessons, units, and courses should be logically inferred from the results sought (desired outcomes), not derived from the methods, books, and activities with which we are most comfortable." Grant & Wiggins
Stage 1: Desired Results
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence
Stage 3 Learning Plan
