Articulate:
As a teacher I believe that articulation for a course should start with the concept of backward design. Before planning of any lessons or activities take place, articulation should begin with the creation of a KUD for the course and then for each unit. This brings clarity to what we want students to be able to Know, Understand and Do as a result of this course. This document also clearly summarizes what students should expect to learn and most focus their attention on during the unit/class. Without this it is difficult have daily lesson plans that are as meaningful and effective as they could be. With my KUD as a guiding document I can create lesson plans that support the overall class goals and focus student learning.
After articulating my course KUD I am now free to break that down into daily learning. The first thing students see articulated each day in my class is a statement of “purpose” for the learning to take place. We review this each day at the start of class and it helps students to know the main focus of that day’s class. It is also a statement by the teacher as to the specific preparation that has gone into the class so the students can learn the skills and/or content that is being emphasized.
Similarly, Standards and Learning Targets need to be articulated. I especially find that student friendly wording of learning targets helps students clearly understand how the presentation of their thinking and actions will be evaluated to determine where they stand in their attempt to demonstrate competence in the learning. The last two years in Project Adventure I have typically chose three learning targets that are emphasized each day in class with the expectation that students will then grade themselves on these at the end of the class. These learning targets are carefully chosen based on the activities planned for the day. The student friendly articulation of these standards has brought a greatly improved student focus on these targets and more meaningful conversations at the end of each class.
Overall, the articulation described above has kept my teaching thoughtful and intentional. At the same time it has improved the students understanding of the expectations of learning they need to demonstrate in class.
As a teacher I believe that articulation for a course should start with the concept of backward design. Before planning of any lessons or activities take place, articulation should begin with the creation of a KUD for the course and then for each unit. This brings clarity to what we want students to be able to Know, Understand and Do as a result of this course. This document also clearly summarizes what students should expect to learn and most focus their attention on during the unit/class. Without this it is difficult have daily lesson plans that are as meaningful and effective as they could be. With my KUD as a guiding document I can create lesson plans that support the overall class goals and focus student learning.
After articulating my course KUD I am now free to break that down into daily learning. The first thing students see articulated each day in my class is a statement of “purpose” for the learning to take place. We review this each day at the start of class and it helps students to know the main focus of that day’s class. It is also a statement by the teacher as to the specific preparation that has gone into the class so the students can learn the skills and/or content that is being emphasized.
Similarly, Standards and Learning Targets need to be articulated. I especially find that student friendly wording of learning targets helps students clearly understand how the presentation of their thinking and actions will be evaluated to determine where they stand in their attempt to demonstrate competence in the learning. The last two years in Project Adventure I have typically chose three learning targets that are emphasized each day in class with the expectation that students will then grade themselves on these at the end of the class. These learning targets are carefully chosen based on the activities planned for the day. The student friendly articulation of these standards has brought a greatly improved student focus on these targets and more meaningful conversations at the end of each class.
Overall, the articulation described above has kept my teaching thoughtful and intentional. At the same time it has improved the students understanding of the expectations of learning they need to demonstrate in class.
KUD and Scales for Project Adventure Unit 1 - Community
KUD and Scales for Personal Health Unit 5 - Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
KUD and Scales for Personal Health Unit 5 - Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)