Understanding By Design Success and Unknowns Assessments

Anyone who knows me professionally knows that I'm very passionate about curriculum planning and Understanding by Design.  I was introduced to UbD about 3 years ago and each year I have learned more and more about the process.  

This year I took on a huge project of introducing the UbD process to 50+ teachers at my new school.  Most of the teachers had never heard of it before and were scared to make this change.  I understand that change is scary but I tried to reassure them that the process really does work.  

The UbD process allows teachers to teach content developmentally and with rigor to ensure that every child meets or exceeds the required content.  The most important thing about UbD is to "begin with the end in mind".  If you know what you want your students to learn...then lay it out!!  Show your students what you want them to know!  If you see that they already know a specific skill, then you don't need to spend as much time teaching that content.  You can spend more time focusing on the skills they are lacking and have plenty of time for remediation and enrichment. 

The next unit that we are working on is for Missing Numbers (Unknown Equations).  My students took the pretest this past week and there were several students that knew the simple equations and word problems.  The majority of the class struggled with "start unknown" equations and word problems.  Analyzing this data will show me what I need to teach in order for every student to master the concepts that I want them to know by the end of the unit.  Once students master those concepts, then I can enrich them with advanced content.  The pretest that I created in pictured below.  Click HERE or on the picture to download the pretest and post test.

At the end of the unit, it's important to reassess your students using the same format or types of questions.  You want to see if your teaching really worked and that your students really mastered the content that you taught.  I like to keep the test format the same and just change to numbers or words.

If your school is contemplating the implementation of Understanding by Design, please accept the challenge!!  It really is beneficial for teaching and learning!!  

Phil, Polar Bear's, and a SUPER SALE

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Groundhog Day was an extra special celebration because the famous groundhog, Phil, was just a few hours away.  When I was in high school, some people would even head to Gobbler's Knob for the day to catch Phil's prediction first hand.  We have been working on missing number word problems in math, so I decided to create a groundhog craftivity that incorporates missing subtrahend word problems.  I actually used it as an assessment tool to see what my students knew and what they needed to work on.  You can click HERE to download Phil's Blackberries.

  Even though Phil saw his shadow this year, which means that Spring is right around the corner, you can still get in one last winter animal activity.  Polar Bear's Missing Numbers is a math game containing  missing number and simple addition/subtraction word problems with matching fact cards. Click HERE to download.

 

We used "Polar Bear's Missing Numbers" as a cooperative learning team game and I helped my students create their own learning teams.  I had students volunteer to be the group leaders:  First, I chose 4 "readers" (they read the story problem)...they chose a table for their team.  Next, I chose 4 "writers" (they record the work for the problem)...they chose reader to sit with.  Then, I chose 4 "walkers" (they walk the answers to me to be checked)...they chose which team they wanted to join.  The readers from each group then chose the team "helpers" from the remaining students in the class to join their table.  Everyone had a role on each of the learning teams and they worked together to solve the problem.  The reader read the word problem to the group:  they worked together to find the answer, the writer recorded the work, and then the walker walked to the back table to find the matching fact card.  We had a race to see which team could answer the most problems correctly.  This activity was both fun AND eye opening because it really let me see what true team work looks like.  It helped me learn more about how to help my students be better team players as well.

You can be a team player this weekend!  Check out my TPT store for some amazing deals and get up to 28% off everything on Sunday.  All of my products have a reputation for being very reasonably priced, so you're getting a HUGE deal when you shop during this SUPER SALE.  

A big thank you to Ashley Hughes of "The School Supply Addict" for creating this SUPER cute sale button for us to use.  Check out her graphics on TPT...they're so cute!!  Have a safe and fun Super Bowl Sunday!  

Happy Shopping!!

Secret Valentine, Super Numbers, and a FREEBIE

It's been quite a crazy last couple of weeks with all the snow days that we've had.  I'm enjoying it though because it's given me time to finish some projects that I've been working on.  

My valentine literacy pack, "Secret Valentine," is now available at my TPT store.  Click on any of the pictures below to preview the 10 literacy activities that are included. 

We will be starting a new math unit on 2-digit numbers, place value to 120, 10 more/10 less, and comparing numbers.  My first grade team worked together to develop a unit sequence that we think is developmentally appropriate for our students.  The units that we create contain essential questions, unit sequence, and tons of resources.  You can click HERE to see what our unit looks like.  

My boys LOVE batman, so they inspired me to do a Super Hero themed MEGA PACK to go our next math unit.  This math pack contains 18 math games ranging from place value, hundreds chart, addition/subtraction, word problems, and comparing numbers.  You will find everything you need to teach 2-digit numbers.  Click HERE to preview the entire 107 page download of Super Numbers.  It contains games geared toward both boys AND girls!  

 You can download the Super Stories mini book from this unit for FREE by clicking HERE.  You students will enjoy these super hero themed story problems while practicing hopping on the number line to add by 10's.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!  I know I will...dinner date with my hubby tonight!! :-)

Sports Themed Math Games and another FREEBIE

Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play!! (Singing)

 If you started singing Smash Mouth's All Star song, you are definitely in my generation.  I just finished my sports themed math center activities that are aligned with the Common Core's Operations and Algebraic Thinking strand.  There are 10 math games that help students practice addition, subtraction, adding 3 numbers, missing addend, and missing subtrahend.  There are games for those who like football, baseball, soccer, and basketball.  I just know that the boys in my class are going to go wild!!  I'll have to make something girly for the princesses in my class.  :-)

Click HERE to download "Hey Now, You're an All-Star" and to see which 10 math games are included.

Here's a little something for YOU, just in time to the Super Bowl!!  If you're interested in sampling the quality of this download, you can get Field Goal Fever for FREE!!  Just click on the picture below!!  Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Have a great week everyone!

New Winter Product, a FREEBIE, and The Year End BLOW OUT Sale

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday and got to spend some much needed time with your family.  I have had a wonderful week visiting my family in Pennsylvania.  My boys enjoyed preparing for Santa's arrival and I loved their reaction on Christmas morning when they saw that Santa left them presents.  Anyway, I've been working on my new winter math product that features snowmen, polar bears, and oh-so-cute winter kids.  The focus in the entire packet is on the Operations and Algebraic Thinking strand of the Common Core State Standards.  

Winter Wonderland has 12 fun, winter themed games ranging from simple addition/subtraction, doubles/doubles +1, missing addends/subtrahends, and word problems.  You can view the rest of the 12 activities HERE at my TPT store.  

You can also download "Fun with Frosty" for FREE by clicking HERE!!

Enjoy the last few days of 2012 with 20% off all products in my TPT store including my new winter product, Winter Wonderland.  Click HERE to view all of my products.  For an even better deal, my Teacher's Notebook store has all products marked at 40% off until December 31, 2012.  Click HERE to go to my Teacher's Notebook store.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year!