Hey there, fellow teachers! So, you’ve just started your teaching journey, and you’re probably swimming in a sea of lesson plans, standards, and curriculum guides. Feeling overwhelmed? Trust me, I’ve been there. One of my favorite strategies, that you’ve probably heard of before, to implement in lesson planning is backwards design. This method can help you navigate the chaos and design lessons that truly make a difference. Now I implement this approach without even thinking about, and with this article (and some practice) you’ll be able to do that too!
What is Backward Design?
Backward design is like planning a road trip. Instead of just hopping in the car and driving aimlessly, you decide on your destination first. Then, you figure out the best route to get there. In teaching, this means identifying your learning goals before planning the activities and lessons. It’s about focusing on what you want your students to learn and be able to do by the end of your unit.
Why Backward Design?
You might be wondering, “Why should I bother with backward design?” Here are a few reasons:
- Clarity and Focus: Knowing your end goals keeps you focused. You’ll spend less time on activities that don’t really help students learn what they need to know.
- Better Assessments: When you plan assessments first, they’re more likely to align with your objectives, giving you a clearer picture of student understanding.
- Improved Student Outcomes: Students benefit from a clear, well-structured learning path. They understand what’s expected of them and why they’re doing each activity.
Tips for Getting Started
- Start Small: Don’t try to redesign your entire curriculum all at once. Pick one unit to start with and apply the backward design principles.
- Collaborate: Work with your colleagues. Share ideas, resources, and feedback. Two heads are better than one!
- Reflect and Adjust: After teaching your unit, reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Adjust your plans accordingly for next time.
The Three Stages of Backward Design
Backward design involves three key stages: Identifying desired results, determining acceptable evidence, and planning learning experiences and instruction. Let’s break these down:
- Identify Desired Results
- Start by asking yourself, “What do I want my students to understand and be able to do by the end of this unit?”
- Look at your standards and objectives. What are the big ideas and essential questions? These are your end goals, your destination.
- Determine Acceptable Evidence
- Next, think about how you’ll know if students have achieved these goals. What will success look like?
- Plan your assessments first. Yes, you heard that right! Decide on quizzes, tests, projects, or any other form of assessment that will show whether students have met the objectives.
- Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction
- Now comes the fun part—planning the actual lessons and activities.
- Choose engaging, interactive, and meaningful activities that will help students reach the desired results. Make sure every activity aligns with your goals and assessments.
Example in Action
Let’s say you’re teaching a unit on ecosystems in a middle school science class. Here’s how you might use backward design:
- Identify Desired Results:
- Students should understand the components of an ecosystem and how they interact.
- Students should be able to explain the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
- Determine Acceptable Evidence:
- Students will complete a project where they create a model of an ecosystem, showing all the components and their interactions.
- Students will write a report on a specific human activity and its impact on a chosen ecosystem.
- Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction:
- Start with an interactive lesson on the basic components of ecosystems.
- Organize a field trip to a local park or nature reserve.
- Conduct a hands-on activity where students build small ecosystem models in class.
- Facilitate a research session in the library or computer lab for the impact reports.
Final Thoughts
Backward design might seem like a lot of work upfront, but it pays off in the long run. By planning with the end in mind, you’ll create more effective, focused, and engaging lessons. Your students will appreciate the clarity, and you’ll feel more confident in your teaching.
Remember, teaching is a journey. With backward design, you’re not just driving aimlessly—you’re guiding your students toward meaningful, lasting learning. So, grab your map, set your destination, and enjoy the ride!
Ready to take your lesson planning to the next level? Subscribe to our email list and get a free backward design lesson plan template—see the sign up, pop up at the bottom of your screen! Happy teaching!
