Chapter 9: Bringing it All Together” Curriculum and Instruction Through the Les on UBD and DI

Teachers who use backwards design and differentiated instruction to strengthen their teaching methods generally follow nine “rules.” These “rules” create a framework for teaching and learning with respect, supporting students’ needs, and teaching and accessing in a fair and effective manner. By looking at a unit plain about nutrition aimed at 5th and 6th grade students, the reader can see how a well-constructed unit can and must morph into a unit that addresses different students’ needs. The use of pre-assessment as well as continuing assessment throughout the course of the unit can help the teacher understand what misconceptions or understandings students’ have and how they can be addressed to make sure the students are on-task and learning at an appropriate level. This chapter also suggests a litany of ideas that teachers can use to differentiate their units and lesson plans so that all students can benefit. The chapter really brought to life the idea that even the most well constructed and well thought-out unit will need to change as new information is presented to the teacher. I will need to use the results of assessments to shape my lessons and help me learn how to reach and teach all of my students.