Guided Response Questions 1

Priority Standards 

We talked in class about the need to determine what the Priority Standards are per grade level. Why do we need to identify Priority Standards and what would be the outcome if we did not choose some standards as priority? 

We need to identify priority standards because these are the standards that represent what the students need to be competent in by the end of the year the students have to show that they are proficient in these areas. If we failed to cover all the priority standards not only would we fail as teachers but it would put our students back in their education progress. 

If a standard is considered supporting, does that mean we do not teach this content? Explain your thinking in detail please. 

A supporting standard in a standard that goes hand in hand with the priority standard. In order to master the priority standard, the supporting standard goes along with it. These supporting standards help achieve a higher level of learning.

Explain the criteria we use to analyze the standards to determine the label of priority or supporting. 

Priority standards are essential while supporting standards are connecting the dots. Priority standards provide circular focus and it makes the teacher dive deeper into the topic to ensure the student is competent. Supporting standards are circular standards that connect and support the priority standards. 

Why is it important to distribute Priority Standards over multiple Units of Study rather than just in one unit? 

It is important to distribute priority standards over multiple units of study because there is no way you could learn all the priority standards in one unit. You start off with a priority standard that helps learn future standards. Priority stands feed into each other.

Units of Study 

Who is involved in designing Units of Study within a curriculum? Who is present?

Teachers are present when designing Units of Study within a curriculum. A curriculum director may also be present but this is not always the case. Teachers from a grade get together and decide what topics will be covered in each unit that way each child is learning at the same pace.  

How do teachers determine what the Units of Study for a grade level subject or a course will be?

They look at the priority standards and unpack them. We have to know the content inside and out and within those units of study, we have to know what specifically to focus on.

Compare and contrast a pacing guide and a curriculum map.

A pacing guide is a prediction of how long something will take while a curriculum map is an instruction of what is going to be taught throughout the year.

How do teachers create a pacing guide and a curriculum map? 

I think it logical to make the curriculum map first to lay out the progression of what needs to be learned and then from there you can make the pacing guide to go along with that. 

Unpacking a Standard 

Walk me through the process we take to unpack a standard – think about the nouns and verbs within the standard.

You have to circle the verbs (skills) and underline the nouns (concept to be taught). Then from here you can write a learning target. 

Why is it important to unpack standards with your colleagues? 

It is important to unpack standards with your colleagues because some people interpret standards different ways and it is important to get others input on the standards and see how you can unpack it as best you can. 

Why is it important to unpack standards with your students? 

It is important to unpack standards with your students because then makes it so that the student can understand what is expected of them and it makes them see what they need to do and learn to master that topic. 

What do you do with the unpacked material once you are finished this activity with your colleagues and with your students? 

You figure out where each topic fits within each unit. You put the topics that need to be used in order to learn more first and then from then you can add on material and dive deeper into the topics.
Big Ideas and Essential Questions 

What is the relationship between big ideas and essential questions?

Big ideas are broad and cover a lot of content area. And essential questions are a breakdown of the big idea and can be addressed over lots of areas. 

Why do we bother developing big ideas and essential questions? What is the purpose?

Big ideas are important because they provide a basis for content that is going to be learned and essential questions encourage furthering questioning and develop those critical thinking skills.
Formatively Assess Yourself 

What in the course material are you confident about?

I am confident in unpacking standards and deciding what goes first within a unit. 

What in the course material do you have questions about or need some further review? 

There is nothing in particular that I am confused about, I think it’s a matter of getting more comfortable with the material.

Standard #7- Planning for Instruction

The teacher draws upon knowledge of content areas, cross-disciplinary skills, learners, the community, and pedagogy to plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals.

How does this assignment relate to the CCTS #7?

This assignment relates to the common core teaching standard number 7 because as we discussed priority standards and units of study we delved into what it means to aim our lesson plans at reaching all students. By understanding and breaking down each standard, both ourselves and the students can have a goal of what they need to know by the end of the year or unit. While focusing on the end goal, we also have to consider each students specific learning needs and different ways to enhance learning. We have to be able to evaluate our students in different ways; ways that fit their specific needs.

This will contribute to my future career path because whether I go into the medical field or education, I have to be able to plan for instruction. In education, I have to be able to evaluate my students in different ways based off their needs and I need to be able to determine if they are ready to move onto the next topic. In the medical field, I have to be able to evaluate my patients understanding of their possible diagnosis or treatment plan. Part of being in the medical field is to ensure that you are sending your patients off back to their homes with the knowledge they need to ensure they are recovering at the right rate. Planning for instruction is very important.