November work on unit plans

November began with a 2-day in-service by an external presenter on all three stages of UbD. The break-out session gave us opportunities to work as a dept and revamp some plans.
We worked with each stage of a chosen unit to get a sense of how to critique each others units constructively. Marty and I worked on each others IB English units.

Stage 1: The focus was on
the EUs - were they broad enough and comprehensive enough?
the EQs - did they relate to the chosen standards and benchmarks?
- were they comprehensive and specific?
Content/Knowledge - did they represent the benchmarks?
Skills - did they cover the skills necessary to reach the intended learnings?
- a set of general skills categorized as Trans-Disciplinary skill
- subject-specific skills related to English Language/Literature

Stage 2: Linking assessment with the intended learnings (expressed as content and skills).
Attempting to ensure a match
Ensuring that each assessment tool was expressed in terms of the acronym GRASPS

Stage 3: Expressing Learning Plans in terms of WHERETO

This was accomplished for both chosen units.

The in-service provided some insight into the details of each stage in UbD. It helped me focus on areas that need strengthening in my unit plans. Gave me practice on how to review and reinforce a plan.
Now this process could be applied to the other plans.

October follow-up on unit plans

Some units in IB English A2-2 and TOK 11 needed to be realigned as the sequence of units has changed this year.
As TZ will be observing classes through November, there is specific focus on a chosen unit - "Conflict" in IB English A2-2. All parts of this unit were reviewed.
Skills were divided into Subject specific skills and Trans-disciplinary Skills (from ESLRs, the school's Vision and Mission).
The Learning Plan was revamped to fit the WHERETO model.
In addition a sequence of lessons was uploaded to this section.

September review of unit plans

Went over the Atlas unit plans in September 09. Checked year overviews to ensure they were adjusted for this school year - 2009-2010.
Continued to check the plans for EUs and EQs which will be printed and placed on the relevant classroom Bulletin Boards through the year.
Handouts, activities, lesson sequences and other resources need to be uploaded to each plan through the year.

Goals for 2009-2010

All PD goals for 2009-2010 are related to Atlas unit plans. This gives me no option to shape goals for this school year. While I can handle the Atlas related goals, I feel less of a sense of ownership about PD goals for this year. I will do what needs to be done.

Revamping each stage of the Unit plans for each semester seems to be the focus. Reflections on this blog may help to track the progress of the work. There are days set aside during the school year 2009-2010 for work on dept plans.