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Steps in Designing a Unit Plan

1. How do you choose a unit topic?

   1. North Carolina Standard Course of Study
      (Generally, unless you have some unusual circumstances, it must relate to the NCSCS)

   2. Textbook

   3. Pacing guide

   4. Other teachers

   5. Personal interests

   6. Other
       

2. What do you do next?

   1. Decide concepts/skills/content that you want students to learn (CP)

      1. Textbook

      2. Standard course of study

      3. Material covered in the end of grade test

      4. Other
          

   2. Think about what question(s) you want the students to be able to answer (This is often called the Essential Question) (P)

      1. Does a story have to have a beginning, middle and end?

      2. Is water always a liquid?

      3. Are all the planets alike?

      4. Are all wars fought for the same reasons?

      5. Other
          

   3. Decide what the student outcomes should be (P, A)

      1. Recall,

      2. List,

      3. Analyze,

      4. Differentiate,

      5. Compare,

      6. Write a paragraph,

      7. Make a map, etc.

      8. Evaluate something

      9. Other
          

   4. Decide what strategies/activities you will use to help students be successful (DL, MIS, MM, CT, SD)

      1. (What do you know about the students in your class and how they learn best?)

      2. Small group

      3. Large Group

      4. Discussions

      5. Projects

      6. Essays

      7. Manipulatives

      8. Art

      9. Web Quest
          

   5. Consider what kinds of things you will do to find out what your students already know about the material in your unit (CP, MIS)

      1. KWL charts

      2. Class discussion

      3. Surveys

      4. Poster activities

      5. Pre-test

      6. Anticipation guide
          

   6. Decide how you will assess your students to see if they have learned (SD, A, RP)

      1. Tests

      2. Quizzes

      3. Projects

      4. Discussions

      5. Use of rubrics; have you thought through the criteria for grades?

      6. Class presentations

      7. Other
          

   7. Consider how you might bring in other disciplines (P, MIS)