Backward Design for Math

Design Activities that cause the desired result to occur

Key Design Questions

Using Integers to represent real-life situations

1. What is worthy and requiring understanding?

2. What is evidence of understanding?

3. What learning experiences and teaching promote understanding, interest, and excellence?

It is important at this stage to look at key questions.

TEKS 6.1C

Mathematical Process Standards.....applying mathematical process standards to problems arising in everyday life, society and the workplace.

What knowledge is necessary for students to know in order to perform effectively?

Will the unit design prove effective when assessing student knowledge and understanding?

What are the acceptable levels of evidence that support the fact that the desired results have occurred?

Formal and Informal Assessment Methods

I want the 6th grade Math students to use integers to solve monetary problems.

What activities will supply students with necessary knowledge and skills to succeed?

Decide on appropriate materials and resources to achieve the goals of the unit.

How should information be shared to ensure students meet performance goals?

A variety of assessment tools are appropriate for assessing understanding. Quizzes, tests, oral Q & A, open ended prompts, performance tasks and projects are all appropriate for checking understanding.

Teachers must think about assessment first, then design units based on what the student should know upon completion of the unit.

Types of Assessment

Performance Tasks and Projects:

Our school offers students the opportunity to participate in the student bank. Each student can put money in the bank weekly with parental permission. Have each student gain permission and bring any amount of money to the bank to deposit. Keep a year long register of deposits. Withdrawals can only occur at the actual bank and require a prent, but that would also be part of the banking project. A deposit can be as small as a penny so any student can participate.

Quiz sample question:

Matt has saved 8 dollars every week for 7 weeks. If he bought a video game for 23 dollars, how much does he still have saved?

A $21

B $33

C $56

D $79

Academic Prompts:

The recipe Theresa is using calls for 2 1/3 cups of flour. She only has a container that holds 1/3 of a cup. How many times should she fill the container with flour? Show or explain all of your work?

Acceptable Evidence

Identify the Desired Results

Backward Design

Students in the Math class actually work in the student bank throughout the year collecting money, recording deposits, and counting the money weekly at the closing of the bank. The goal is to learn through trial and error and in the end have the weekly deposits total the correct amount deposited by students, while gaining a better understanding of money, keeping track of money, and the value of saving money

What do you want your students to know, understand and accomplish? We must review curriculum and make choices about content.

6th Grade Math

Will the topic engage your students?

Educators must specify important knowledge and skills and then ensure that mastery occurs.

Ideas need to engage students in a way that provokes or connects to students' interests. Interest is equivalent to sustainability of knowledge.

What concepts will prove difficult for students to grasp?

Does the topic have endurance beyond the classroom?

Teachers must consider what prerequisite knowledge is necessary for successful learning to occur.

Educators need to consider whether the subject matter will extend into adulthood.

Teaching for understanding is critical when uncovering confusing topics.

Beginning at the END!!

Clear goals focus our planning and guide our teaching purposefully to an intended result.

Planning & Instruction

Conclusion

To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.

-Stephen R. Covey

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Finally, it is time to choose teaching methods and resource materials.

We have successfully worked our way through a Backward Design lesson. We now have a clearer understanding of the expectations involved in Backward Design.

I'm always available for questions if you have difficulty. Please don't hesitate to ask.